Why is Singapore reluctant to reopen its border with Johor?

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Singapore's Perceived Reluctance to Reopen Johor Border Stems from Economic Benefits of Malaysian Workers' Expenditure

A Malaysian workers' representative has claimed that Singapore is hesitant to reopen its border with Johor, suggesting the island nation benefits economically from Malaysian workers being compelled to spend their earnings there due to the prolonged closure. This expenditure, estimated at RM14 billion annually, represents funds that could otherwise be circulating within Malaysia's economy. The Malaysia-Singapore border has been closed since March 18, 2020, impacting a significant number of cross-border commuters.
Economic Advantage for Singapore

The Malaysian Workers Association in Singapore's Johor chapter chairman, S. Dayalan, stated that approximately 215,000 Malaysians are currently employed in Singapore. Because these workers are unable to return home daily, they are obliged to spend an estimated SG$1,500 per month on living expenses within Singapore. This collective annual spending is calculated to be around SG$4.5 billion, which equates to approximately RM14 billion. Dayalan posits that this substantial outflow of Malaysian funds into Singapore's economy is a key factor in the island republic's apparent reluctance to fully reopen the border.
Call for Immediate Reopening

Dayalan urged the Malaysian government to actively press for the immediate reopening of the Malaysia-Singapore border. He argued that the initial reasons for the closure, driven by uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, are no longer as pertinent. After more than a year, he asserted, both individuals and authorities have a greater understanding of necessary standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the importance of vaccination. Reopening the border, he believes, would not only alleviate the difficulties faced by hundreds of thousands of Malaysian workers but also provide a significant economic boost to Malaysia.
Johor State Government's Proposal

In response to the ongoing border closure, the Johor state government has indicated plans to address the situation. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad announced that the state government intends to submit a proposal to the federal government. This proposal would outline a scheme for reopening the border through a Daily Commuting Arrangement (DCA). The intent behind such a proposal is to facilitate the return of Malaysian workers to their jobs in Singapore while allowing them to commute daily from their homes in Johor, subject to agreed-upon SOPs.

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Why is Singapore reluctant to reopen its border with Johor?

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