Forum: Malaysia's travel ban should be wake-up call for employers here

People walk across the Causeway from Malaysia towards Woodlands Checkpoint on March 17, 2020. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

It is being reported that more than 400,000 people cross the land checkpoints in Woodlands and Tuas each day. If you include Malaysians living in Singapore, as well as permanent residents residing and working here, I find it concerning that Singapore depends on such a large workforce of non-Singaporeans to keep its industries and economy going.

Malaysia's movement control measures barring Malaysians from travelling overseas - which led to workers rushing to beat the deadline and find short-term accommodation in Singapore, affecting companies here and putting a strain on infrastructure - should be a wake-up call to local employers.

It's about time Singapore looked into its manpower security.

Lee Kwok Weng

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 21, 2020, with the headline Forum: Malaysia's travel ban should be wake-up call for employers here. Subscribe