Hot Off the Press: Malaysia Wants Singapore to Come to the Party
Malaysia’s tourism guru, Nancy Shukri, has some juicy news for travelers!
Gearing Up for the Reunion
On a sunny policy note, Nancy told CNBC’s Street Signs Asia that the borders will smack open “very soon” for tourists, especially those hopping over from our fellow island neighbor, Singapore. She’s planning a big catch‑up with Singapore officials next week to iron out the details, aiming to make the re‑connect funny (and legal) by next month.
Countdown to November
Full stop! Malaysia’s grand plan is to lift the international tourist ban in November, and guess who’s at the front of the line? Singaporeans, of course. The two nations are about to become the ultimate “Friendship Palooza” when they open the gates together. As Nancy put it: “We’re open to Singapore as long as Singapore is open to us, too.”
Remember the Causeway craze?
- Before the big shut‑down in March, around 500,000 Singaporeans & Malaysians slashed the borders every day—families, work, you name it.
- Now, you’re looking at a knock‑on effect—over 100,000 Malaysians are stuck in Singapore, hoping to reunite with their hometowns.
- To keep the chaos at bay, the “Periodic Commuting Arrangement” and emergency‑visit framework are still in play.
What’s Next?
Nancy is super‑optimistic—betting on a November wrap‑up with Singapore. If this goes down, you’ll probably see the first wave of tourists from the city state roll in, setting off a quest for high‑spirit itineraries and coffee‑court visits.
So, keep your passports handy, your luggage light, and your curiosity high! Malaysia is about to open its gates again, and the sunny faces of Singapore are expected to be the first to step in.
Langkawi’s Grand Reopening: Malaysians Grab the Island by the Horns
Just a few months after hunkering down in lockdown, Malaysia has tossed its leafy Lock‑down hat off and opened the gates to the beach‑side paradise of Langkawi. With a newfound travel bubble specially set up for fully‑vaccinated locals, the island’s ferries and flights have been humming like a hive since the 16th of October, carrying more than 128,000 eager wanderers.
From Staying Put to “Go, Go!”
- October 11: The 21‑day countdown to a new normal hits its start button – interstate travel ban finally lifted.
- Vaccination Wins: Rapid upticks in shots have nudged Malaysia into “endemic” mode, letting the economy resume a brisk dance with growth.
- Teenagers in the Program: The government’s now on a “let the teens get vaccinated” spree, plus extra booster doses for high‑risk groups.
And yes, it’s still possible to catch a case – 5,828 new infections were reported on Saturday, the 21st straight day where caseloads stayed below 10,000 (so no chalk‑board alarm at the moment).
Vaccination Coverage in Numbers
In simple words: 94.4 % of adults in Malaysia and 72.2 % of the total population have already received a jab. That’s a solid semi‑full stop for the virus.
Front‑Row Seat to International Travel?
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob rolled out the red carpet for a pilot project starting mid‑November. Fully‑shots foreign visitors can jet off to Langkawi for a minimum of three days, and guess what? No quarantine drama.
- The traveler checklist:
- • A COVID‑19 test 72 hours before departure.
- • Another test on day 2 after arrival.
- • Travelling insurance of at least $80,000 (or 107,616 MYR).
Hope on the Horizon: Helping Kids & Closing the Gap
To wrap up the news, the quiet hero of the story was highlighted— a new foundation set aside on the night of October 23 to support 5,173 children who lost one or both parents to the virus. It’s a small sliver of light in the dark clouds.
Plus, the government pledged to pour extra funds into six of the least developed states—mostly the likes of Sarawak and Kelantan—to tighten the economic gap. Because, let’s face it, a nation can’t be all beaches and sunshine if everyone isn’t riding the wave.
All of the above? That’s the latest scoop from The Straits Times – remember, this copy is original and came straight from the source.
