Malaysia is ready to reopen all international borders, including Causeway, Second Link land checkpoints

By TIN Media | Tourism Malaysia Published 2 years ago on 9 March 2022
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MALAYSIA:

Malaysia is all prepared to restore its international crossings - including the land checkpoints at the Causeway and the Second Link - after 2 years of being shut due to the coronavirus pandemic, with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob likely to announce the precise opening date on Tuesday (Mar 8).

The automatic gates at Malaysia's international entry points have already been reopened, including those at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and the Sultan Iskandar Building in Johor.


The auto gates were reactivated last Saturday, according to a report from news agency Bernama, quoting Immigration Department director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud. Officers at international entrance points who had been relocated to temporary depots were recalled to prepare for the reopening.

Tourists must show confirmation of having a place to stay in Malaysia, as well as a "sufficient quantity of money" and a vacation schedule, according to Khairul.

Tourism and Culture Minister Nancy Sukri was quoted in a different story by The Star newspaper on Monday as saying that her ministry is "fully prepared" to welcome international tourists back to Malaysia.

Through the Causeway at Johor and the Second Link, Singapore has a land Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) with Malaysia. There is an air VTL between Kuala Lumpur and Penang, which will be expanded to cover Penang beginning March 16.

The reopening of the border, according to Lee Heng Guie, executive director of the Socio-Economic Research Centre of Malaysia's Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, is good news for the country as it continues its economic recovery.

"Even though it is well anticipated, it is still something that everyone is looking forward to, particularly the damaged aviation, retail, hotel, and tourism businesses. International tourists who have missed Malaysia, of course, "According to The Business Times, he said.

With new catalysts for tourism-related businesses, he believes Malaysia's economy would revive quickly, albeit at a slower rate than previously.

"We won't go back to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon," he warned, citing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, rising oil costs, and inflation as reasons.


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