PAGOH (March 9): National Recovery Council chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said on Wednesday (March 9) the Malaysian government's decision to reopen the country's borders starting April 1, 2022 is the right decision to restore social and economic development and after taking into account that the nation's Covid-19 vaccination rate is among the highest globally.
The National Recovery Council is also known as Majlis Pemulihan Negara (MPN).
“This is the right decision and I as the MPN chairman have also discussed several times earlier this year so that the international borders can be opened as soon as possible for aspects of social development as well as economic, [so that] trade, business and tourism can recover faster.
“In addition, our country has also reached among the highest vaccination rates in the world,” Muhyiddin said during a press conference in conjunction with the “Enabling Rural Connectivity and Bridging the Digital Divide with TV White Space" programme here on Wednesday.
Pagoh is a suburb within Johor's Muar district.
Former prime minister Muhyiddin is also the Member of Parliament for Pagoh.
According to him, stakeholders from various backgrounds, including the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors, can make the necessary planning immediately as the country prepares to reopen its borders next month.
He said this includes making early plans to receive tourists, visitors and foreign investors to expedite Malaysia's economic recovery.
In anticipation of the nation's transition to the Covid-19 endemic phase from the pandemic phase, Muhyiddin noted that he hopes everyone will still adhere to the country's eased standard operating procedures to curb the spread of infections, which began to be widely reported since early 2020.
“There are many effects that show our country can return to normal in the next few months,” he explained.