Hasni: Borders reopening, HSR project will be BN’s main economic agenda for Johor
BN state chairman Hasni Mohamad says he will continue to push for HSR and borders to reopen safely in the state as means to propel economic recovery in the state. - Bernama Photo.
Hasni, the Johor caretaker Mentri Besar and BN state chairman, said he and his state administration have already presented a comprehensive plan on SOPs and best practices on how borders between the two-nation should reopen.
“We will continue to request for the borders to be reopened, comprehensive SOP has been presented to the federal government and we hope that the federal government and the Singaporean government will sit down and discuss how best borders are to be reopened but now both countries need to reconsider moving towards the endemic phase,’’ he said.
However, Hasni said if a total reopening of borders were not possible, the next best thing would be allowing workers from certain sectors to cross the border.
Similarly, Hasni also expressed hope for the federal government to expedite discussion with Singapore on the HSR project.
“We have stated our stand and we hope that the federal government will take immediate action. Both national leaders have agreed to a meeting and we hope there will be positive news from this meeting. Johor will continue to push for the HSR as places such as Muar, Batu Pahat and Johor Bahru will greatly benefit from it,’’ he said.
On January 1 last year, Malaysia and Singapore jointly announced the termination of the HSR project when the two countries failed to reach an agreement on Malaysia’s proposed changes before the project agreement expired on December 31, 2020.
Two months later, Malaysia announced a compensation payout of RM320,270519.24 to Singapore for costs incurred for the development of the HSR project and in connection with the extension of its postponement.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has stated that the Island republic is open to discussion on HSR during Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s visit there last year.
BN's manifesto today centres around five main pillars, which is economic revival, people’s welfare, prioritising the youth of Johor, principled governance and political reforms that is solely aimed to create a stable administration.
