Joint Press Statement by YB Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and H.E. Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT BY

YB DATO’ SERI HISHAMMUDDIN TUN HUSSEIN

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MALAYSIA

AND

H.E. DR. VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN

MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE

MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECIPROCAL GREEN LANE FOR THE MOVEMENT OF ESSENTIAL BUSINESS / OFFICIAL TRAVELLERS AND PERIODIC COMMUTING ARRANGEMENT FOR CROSS-BORDER TRAVEL BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Dato’ Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan are pleased to announce that the Government of Malaysia and the Government of the Republic of Singapore have agreed to implement the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA). These two schemes are meant to address the needs of different groups of cross-border travellers between both countries. 

The RGL will enable cross-border travel for essential business and official purposes between both countries. Eligible travellers will have to abide by the prevailing COVID-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed upon by both countries which include undergoing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab tests. Travellers will also be expected to submit to the relevant authorities of the receiving country a controlled itinerary and adhere to this controlled itinerary during their visit.

The PCA will allow Singapore and Malaysia residents, who hold long-term immigration passes for business and work purposes in the other country, to enter that country for work. After at least three consecutive months in their country of work, they may return to their home country for a short-term home leave, and thereafter re-enter their country of work to continue work for at least another three consecutive months. These travellers will also have to abide by the prevailing COVID-19 prevention and public health measures mutually agreed by both countries.

Officials in Malaysia and Singapore are working expeditiously towards the targeted implementation of RGL and PCA on 10 August 2020.  This will give the opportunity for the relevant agencies of both Governments to continue their consultation to finalise the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the two initiatives. Recognising the keen interest of residents in Malaysia and Singapore, and to facilitate smooth cross-border flows, the Governments of Malaysia and Singapore have agreed to publish the requirements, health protocols, and application process involved for entry and exit into Malaysia and Singapore, 10 days prior to their implementation of the RGL and PCA.

Malaysia and Singapore have also agreed to develop other appropriate schemes for the cross-border movement of people including a daily cross-border commuting proposal for work purposes for travellers from both countries, while taking into account the required health protocols and available medical resources in both countries to ensure the safety of the citizens of both sides. This will allow both sides to progressively restore cross-border people-to-people interaction and economic exchanges. 

.     .     .     .     .

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Singapore

14 July 2020