panorama destination

panorama destination

Malaysia-Indonesia Travel Bubble Gets Go-Ahead
24 February 2021 | Written by Chris Alexander

Indonesia has approved plans for a Reciprocal Green Lane/Travel Corridor Arrangement (RGL/TCA) travel bubble with Malaysia. The plan forms part of a wider approach to tourism revivals in the ASEAN region, with member states fast-tracking solutions to rejuvenate essential business travel and revive conventional inbound tourism. 

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin personally sealed the deal with Malaysia’s Southeast Asian neighbours during a two-day visit to Jakarta earlier this month. The news was subsequently confirmed by Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, who is Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).  

“The ministry has held discussions with the Health Ministry, Home Ministry and Foreign Affairs Ministry to explore opportunities by creating travel bubbles with neighbouring countries such as Brunei; Singapore and Thailand or ASEAN countries and Asia Pacific countries such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand which have been identified as safe by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” explained Shukri in a statement to the press on 6th February. “Its implementation, however, is subject to bilateral discussions and considerations based on the aspects of health, immigration, data tracking, and on-going monitoring by relevant agencies in both countries,” she added. 

The reciprocal green lane scheme between Malaysia and Indonesia is expected to facilitate bilateral travel, pending approval by health authorities in both countries. MOTAC has already been working alongside several government agencies and representatives from the tourism industry both at home and abroad, to ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place and cross-border tourism activities can reopen in a safe and systematic manner. 

Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary-general, Muhammad Shahrul Ikram Yaakob, has reiterated that follow-ups are required to fine-tune the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that are so important to the safety and longevity of the program. “The scheme will be implemented once Malaysian and Indonesian health authorities deem it appropriate,” said Yaakob.  

Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president, Uzaidi Udanis, agrees that diligent monitoring and enforcement of safety controls at the point of departure and arrival will be key to the success of the bubble scheme. “The SOPs must be clearly stated in writing to ensure tourism industry players are clear about the procedures,” he said. 

The new travel bubble arrangements will be based around diligent health and safety measures and subject to the prevailing SOP in each nation. This framework can then be expanded to include other regional neighbours and international travel partners, with preparations already at an advanced stage. 

Observers are hoping that the Malaysia-Indonesia travel bubble could soon inflate to include other ASEAN neighbours and key tourism source markets nearby; an expansion that, if successful, could be pushed further to include international arrivals from further afield.