State DAP secretary Andrew Chen, who is contesting for the Stulang state seat, said the borders between Malaysia and Singapore must be fully reopened to allow local businesses to grow and families to be reunited.

“The government can implement the test-and-release approach without quarantine,” he said at a press conference this morning.

He also proposed the expansion of the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) to personal vehicles if borders couldn’t be reopened soon.

“The number of air tickets sold and public transport must be increased too.”

Speaking at the same press conference, Amanah’s Dzulkefly Ahmad, who is vying for his old seat of Kota Iskandar, said reopening the borders could increase the take-up rate for properties in Johor.

“Investors from Singapore make up the majority of property buyers in Johor. If the borders are reopened, more properties can be sold and this will reduce the problem of overhang.”

Meanwhile, Muda’s secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz said the reopening of borders would be vital for the economic recovery of both the state and country.

Amira, who is contesting in Puteri Wangsa, said many local businesses, especially those involved in the tourism sector, were badly affected by the closure.

She added that a decision on the reopening of the borders must be made quickly.

Johor DAP chairman Liew Chin Tong said the government must review its stand on reopening borders.

“We hope this election will promote better economic policies for the state and country, and not be only a contest of personalities.

“We propose this policy (on reopening borders) because this is the main issue in Johor.”

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said politicians should highlight the hike in living costs during the elections.

“No one mentioned it except for a deputy minister who said the war between Russia and Ukraine won’t affect prices because Malaysia does not import goods from there.

“It doesn’t make sense. If supply is reduced due to economic sanctions, prices of goods will still rise.”