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Tourism Ministry explores travel bubbles, Singapore top target

Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry officials have been working round the clock to find ways to promote tourism as the number of domestic travelers continues to increase.

As certain nations have started to relax border controls, there have been suggestions that Malaysia start accepting foreign visitors, especially Singaporeans, to help reignite the economy of the nation, especially Johor.

An insider revealed there have been discussions on the best way to protect Malaysia’s tourism industry which has taken a massive beating due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s not as straightforward as it seems. The border between Malaysia and Singapore is now open to business concerns or those who are working in the republic. Allowing tourists in will obviously be last on the agenda due to health reasons,” said the insider.

“But we also understand businesses in Johor, especially Johor Bahru, have been impacted with the absence of Singaporean visitors. So do we allow them only into that state? What if they venture into Melaka or elsewhere? Getting the enforcement bodies in will mean more manpower will be needed.

“We are seeking the right balance and taking the sensitivity of the rakyat into consideration.”

Earlier today, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said the idea of the travel bubble was not country to country but destination to destination.

“It’s between two green zones. But this will also mean strict monitoring (as some nations have recorded second and third Covid-19 waves).

“We have been tasked to define the new travel bubble and look at periodical travel … very close to us, which is Singapore.”

She added that the ministry wants locals to visit destinations in the country and it will continue luring foreigners to spend their holidays in Malaysia.

“We want to see the economy grow. Although things are not going (on well) as much as we want (to), we have to be prepared.”

Nancy said she has also spoken with ambassadors in the country to inform them about the ministry’s plans.

“We’ve spoken to Japan and Singapore and will meet several more (ambassadors) next week,” she added.

Here’s the round-up of The News Normal.

BODY TEMPERATURE CANNOT BE RECORDED, SAYS DEPUTY MINISTER

The body temperature of patrons of business premises should not be recorded manually or digitally.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin said recording such details was against the guidelines of the contact tracing set by the government.

“The recording of the body temperature is not mandatory and it cannot be done,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Personal data can only be used for contact tracing and the information can only be stored up to six months throughout the Movement Control Order period and must be deleted permanently after nine months,” he added.

BILL TO LIMIT PM TO TWO TERMS WITHDRAWN

The government today withdrew a bill to amend Clause (2) of Article 43 of the Federal Constitution to set a two-term limit for the prime minister.

The plan to limit the tenure was previously made by Pakatan Harapan and was part of its election manifesto.

During the Dewan Rakyat sitting today, the government also withdrew the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) Bill.

The Bill will be replaced by the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) Bill 2020. The replacement bill was tabled by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said for first reading yesterday.

MALAYSIAN FOOTBALL NEEDS CLUB LICENSING

A club licensing system creates extensive value on and off the pitch. Those who are passionate about football would appreciate the benefits, writes Muhammad Yunus Zakariah.