He said this was the way forward as the nation had achieved high vaccination rates and lower hospital admissions.

“However, the reopening of the borders should be carried out in an orderly manner and based on current evaluation of risks,” he said in a statement today.

Muhyiddin said the key factor behind the push to reopen the borders was the health ministry’s ability to bring down admission of Category 3 to 5, or more severe Covid-19 cases, in hospitals.

He said Malaysia’s vaccination rate was among the highest in the world, with 98% of adults vaccinated while 78% of the overall population, regardless of age, had taken their shots as well.

Separately, Muhyiddin said the construction industry could expect a long-term, “structural” resolution to their problems concerning the cost of materials and lack of foreign labour.

He said the Construction Industry Development Board was expected to come up with measures to overcome the problems.

Micro, small and medium enterprises could also expect grants and loans to be given out more systematically and without overlaps, he said.

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