Ministers’ ‘travel bubble’ isn’t the first of its kind

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

PETALING JAYA: The “travel bubble” created in the exemption order to enable ministers who go abroad for investment purposes to only be quarantined for three days is not the first of its kind as Malaysia had already practised local travel bubbles, says Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.

The bubble strictly determines where and whom the ministers can meet, with restrictions such as not breaking off from the itinerary or wandering off on their own.

Dr Adham added that countries like Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, which are trading partners of Malaysia, did not have quarantine periods for those returning from abroad.

“Singapore tailors the requirements for quarantine from time to time for those returning from abroad, ” he said when contacted yesterday.

He also said that Malaysia was quite strict in its enforcement of the mandatory quarantine compared to many other countries.

“Foreign investors intending to come here are also reluctant due to our strict period of lengthy quarantine of up to 10 days.

“This is why I needed to find a way to work around the quarantine period for those entering the country so that ministers would not have to spend so much of time in quarantine upon their return from abroad, ” said Dr Adham.

Last December, in an effort to revive the domestic tourism industry, the government created travel bubbles for those intending to travel from one green zone to another.

Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said then that the ministry had also explored the possibility of having travel bubble arrangements with other green zone countries.

She also said the ministry held consultations with several government agencies and tourism industry players to identify mechanisms to reopen cross-border tourism activities safely and systematically.

“The travel itineraries will first be approved by the authorities involved and travel arrangements will be made by licensed travel agency companies, ” she said in winding up the debate on the 2021 Supply Bill at the committee stage.