KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 15): The government is considering opening the nation's borders to vaccinated travellers from certain countries without having to undergo mandatory quarantine, according to National Recovery Council (NRC) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Speaking after the NRC meeting on Friday (Oct 15), Muhyiddin said the government will introduce such privileges through a “mutual recognition of vaccine certificates” programme as implemented by other countries. 

“This is a positive development in the process of opening the country’s borders which I believe will revive various economic activities, especially tourism, international conferences, retail and others. 

“I hope the process of opening the country’s borders, which is an important aspect of the country's recovery efforts, can be done safely and immediately,” Muhyiddin said. 

Meanwhile, the former prime minister also expressed his satisfaction with the latest Covid-19 developments in the country, especially the declining daily cases, intensive care unit (ICU) usage and increasing trend of Covid-19 vaccination.

He also said the NRC has agreed to form a special task force committee, comprising the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI), Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR) and other ministries, to refine matters concerning financing and workforce issues relating to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). 

“The council (NRC) also agreed that the distribution of food aid to the vulnerable should be based on “Nation Approach”.

“Non-governmental agencies (NGOs) also should play a role in helping agencies involved in this distribution of food aid,” Muhyiddin stressed. 

Separately, Muhyiddin highlighted that the NRC meeting on Friday also included a few representatives from the opposition parties, including Wong Chen (Subang MP, representing PKR), Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin MP, representing DAP), Dr Haji Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor MP, representing Amanah) and Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok (representing UPKO).