ISKANDAR PUTERI, Dec 6 — Discussions on the opening of sea Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) connecting the Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal, Singapore to the Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal near Kota Tinggi are expected to be carried out at the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) as early as next month.

Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said the state government hoped the discussions on the implementation of the sea VTL could be realised in line with the aspiration of the state government to stimulate the tourism sector in the state.

He said that, if the sea VTL could be implemented, it would give an effective and comprehensive impact especially to the tourism sector.

"The Desaru Coast Ferry Terminal is already completed but not yet operational. So, the government is still waiting for the decision of Khazanah Nasional which owns the ferry terminal on the form of cooperation and other matters which were all still being discussed.

"But what is important is that the government allows this sea VTL following discussions between the two countries,” he told a media conference after opening the Iskandar Apprenticeship Programme, here today.

He said this when asked to comment on discussions to open sea VTL.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, in his official visit to Singapore on November 29, had discussed the opening of the sea VTL which was received well by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

"Prime Minister Lee also gave his response that the opening of the sea can be considered. So, through the JMC, maybe the discussions can be speeded up,” he said.

On November 29, Ismail Sabri, and Lee, launched the land VTL between Malaysia and Singapore at Woodlands Checkpoint. — Bernama