National Recovery Council has recommended for the opening up of the national economy by March 1, says Chong Chieng Jen

 KUCHING, February 8, 2022 - The National Recovery Council (NRC) today recommended for the opening up of the country’s economy, which will involve the opening of the borders to foreigners to enter the country, by March 1, Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who is also a member of the council, said today.

Picture: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen hopes that Sarawak will also open its borders to foreigners

He said the recommendation was proposed at NRC meeting chaired by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Ministry of Finance building at Putrajaya.

“Among  the things resolved in the meeting is the opening up of our economy by March 1 whereby foreigners will be allowed to enter the country upon tested negative of Covid-19 and without the need to quarantine.

“This resolution of the meeting will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval,” Chong, who is also Stampin Member of Parliament, said in a statement.

Among those who attended the meeting were Minister of Finance, Minister of Health, Minister of International Trade and Industry, Minister of Works and Minister of Economy,

According to Chong, the council members gave their support to the recommendation.

“Now that Singapore, Thailand, England, Australia and many other countries are gradually opening up their borders and removing the need for quarantine upon entry into their countries, Malaysia cannot afford to continue imposing quarantine on foreigners.  

“Therefore, it is most likely that the Cabinet will endorse the recommendation of the NRC,” he said.

He  hoped that the state government make preparations to draw up the necessary standard operating procedures (SOPs) for such opening of the borders for foreign arrivals.

He said the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) will not be in disarray and slow to follow suit when the time comes.

“Our domestic economy has suffered tremendously over the past two years of the pandemic where tourists were literally reduced to zero.  

“Not only the tourism industry suffered but many other sectors of the economy also suffered,” he said, adding that the people’s predicaments were made worse with the confusing SOPs imposed by the SDMC which at times differed from the Ministry of Health.

“Therefore, I urge the state government to quickly make preparation for the opening of borders, standardise the SOPs and communicate with the private sectors to get them ready for the recovery plan,” he said.