The ST report said the ministry was responding to a proposal by Prime Minister Najib Razak for a single checkpoint at the Johor Causeway to improve traffic flow.
The report was referring to a Malaysian newspaper which quoted Najib as saying that under the proposal, travellers going to Singapore would be checked at the republic’s side, and those heading into Johor checked on the Malaysian side.
Singapore MHA said the departure checks are a “vital part of Singapore’s border security strategy”.
“The Singapore government will continue to work with Malaysia to explore other practical ways to facilitate travel between Singapore and Malaysia,” MHA was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would have a meeting with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean to discuss in detail the proposal on the single Customs and Immigration Inspection Centre.
“They (Singapore) must form an action body as carried out by Malaysia … I have not met with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister (Teo) because he is in the same position as I and we will discuss the matter in detail.
“Maybe the question of interpretation is different and this needs articulation from both parties between Malaysia and Singapore,” he said at a media conference after launching the project to rebuild the Yong Peng-Segamat federal road in Tenang, here today.
Zahid said if the proposal could be implemented, the single checkpoint would play an important role in enabling a smooth flow of traffic and overcome the problem of congestion occurring at the Johor Causeway.