Singaporeans still advised to defer all travel abroad, minister says


Harbor Bay shopping centre and international ferry port looks a lot quieter than usual as visitors from Singapore are dwindling as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The shopping centre is within walking distance of the Harbor Bay International Ferry Port in Batam, which takes passengers on a one-hour trip to Singapore. - Jakarta Post/Asian News Network

JAKARTA, July 4 (The Jakarta Post/ANN): Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakhrisnan has rejected the Indonesian government’s request to reopen the city state’s borders to the tourist areas of Bintan and Batam in Riau Islands, which have been closed for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Indonesian Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan phoned Balakhrisnan during the former’s visit to Batam on Thursday, requesting the latter open Singapore's borders that serve as entry points to Bintan and Batam. He said the Singaporean minister agreed to review Indonesia’s request after Singapore’s general election, which will be held on July 10.

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