Ferries are seen docked at Sekupang International Ferry Port in Batam on March 17, 2020 (Photo: https://www.thejakartapost.com/)Jakarta (VNA) - The Indonesian government has asked Singapore to soon re-openits borders, particularly those that connect the city state to the touristareas of Bintan and Batam in Riau Islands, which have been closed for monthsdue to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his visit to Batam on July 2, Coordinating Maritime Affairs andInvestment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan made a phone call withSingaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakhrisnan, requesting thelatter to reopen borders that serve as entry points to Bintan and Batam.
Minister Pandjaitan said that Minister Balakhrisnan agreed to reviewIndonesia's request after Singapore’s general election, which is scheduledfor July 10.
Singapore closed borders to short-term visitors inMarch.
The Indonesian Embassy in Singapore said that the country is likely to closeaccess in and out until December this year.
Border closures have impacted tourism and the economy in RiauIslands, which depends largely on Singaporean tourists.
Batam Mayor Muhammad Rudi said on the same day that he had asked Batam’srepresentative office for the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry(Kadin) to call on the Singaporean Health Ministry to provide them with a roadmapof when the border connecting Batam and Singapore would be reopened.
The Batam administration also contacted the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore topromote the reopening of international ferry routes connecting the twocountries./.
VNA
