‘Opening of S’pore borders key to restoring economy’

Generous contribution: Yow (centre) with other association members receiving a mock cheque from Chen (right) to help cover the cost of waste collection at the Taman Pelangi morning market in Johor Baru.

JOHOR BARU: Reopening of the two land borders with Singapore is key in reviving Johor’s economy that has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, say local traders’ associations.

South Johor Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Datuk Yow Boon Choon said that the island republic contributed between 30% and 40% to the state’s economy in pre-Covid-19 days.

“It is a known fact that Singaporeans prefer to come here while Malaysians who are working and earning their salaries in Singapore also prefer to shop here.

“These Malaysians are bringing their money into Johor but due to the border closure, which is now more than a year long, they have had no choice but to spend in Singapore,” he said.

Yow, who is also the Malaysia Federation of Hawkers and Petty Traders Association president, said the impact from the border closure with Singapore was felt by many businesses in Johor, especially around the state capital.

He said he had sent paperwork to the state government hoping that it would help in fully reopening the Causeway and Second Link crossings as soon as possible.

In an unrelated matter, Yow said many morning and night markets around Johor Baru had started to reopen under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) since Friday.

He thanked the government, which allowed morning and night markets to reopen again in August under the NRP as such moves would help small traders.

“More than 90% of the small traders around here have been fully inoculated to fully comply with the standard operating procedure.

“The association also covers the cost of buying body temperature recording devices, providing hand sanitisers and Rela personnel at 17 morning and night markets under the Johor Baru City Council area.”

Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen Kah Eng donated RM3,000 to the association to help cover the cost of waste collection at the Taman Pelangi morning market.

He said the donation would help cushion the financial burden facing the traders who were starting to open their business after months of closure due to restricted movement.