Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean spoke with Malaysian Senior Minister and Minister of Defence Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob over the telephone on 19 March 2020. They discussed coordination of both countries’ arrangements to safeguard the health of the citizens of Singapore and Malaysia, while minimising disruptions to our companies, workers and citizens.
The two Senior Ministers agreed that Malaysians with Singapore work permits will continue to work in Singapore during this period, with appropriate health screening and suitable accommodation arrangements. Dato’ Sri Ismail Sabri assured Senior Minister Teo that Malaysia will facilitate the smooth transport of food across our land checkpoints. Both sides will facilitate the bilateral transport of commercial goods across our land checkpoints.
Both sides also agreed to establish three working groups under the Special Working Committee on COVID-19, which both Senior Ministers are chairing, to coordinate the (i) movement of people, (ii) movement of goods; and (iii) daily operational issues at our land checkpoints.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
20 MARCH 2020