Standardise immigration procedures

I AM writing to highlight the plight of thousands of Malaysians with Singapore permanent resident (PR) status working in the republic.

They are unable to return to their families in Malaysia even though the land border crossings at the Johor-Singapore Causeway and Malaysia-Singapore Second Link have been opened. This is because the PCA (Periodic Commuting Arrangement) and RGL (Reciprocal Green Lane) schemes do not apply to them.

Currently, Malaysians travelling under the PCA or RGL scheme arriving at the Johor Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) are only subjected to one or two days of quarantine while waiting for the swab result for the Covid-19 tests instead of the full 14 days. Those with Johor Baru addresses are even allowed to go home while waiting for the result of the test.

However, Malaysians with PR are subjected to the full 14-day quarantine. This differentiation is indeed not making any sense.

We seek the help of the relevant authorities, such as Health Ministry, Home Ministry and even the Malaysian Immigration Department, to clear up this matter so that the same procedures can be applied to all Malaysians arriving at the Sultan Iskandar and Sultan Abu Bakar CIQ regardless of their status in Singapore.

Beginning Sept 1, Singapore has also standardised the quarantine period to seven days for all arriving Malaysians regardless of their status in Singapore (Work Permit/Employment Permit/Short-term Employment Pass or Singapore Permanent Resident).

All efforts to reach the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore have neither been effective nor helpful.

YAO GUANG , Singapore