Johor state's tourism committee chairman, Freddy Long, said the
proposal would have far-reaching implications and suggested a cap
on fuel purchases instead.
"We can limit this to about 10 litres per car. This way, we can
enjoy a better balance of benefits without jeopardising Johor's
tourism earnings," he was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times
on Tuesday.
As the gateway into Malaysia from Singapore, Johor's economy is
dependent on traffic from the south for tourism and trade, with
some 23,000 Singapore-registered vehicles entering Malaysia
daily.
Tourist arrivals to Malaysia are highest from the city state, with
some 9.6 million Singaporeans visiting in 2005, and the neighbours
are major trading partners.
"I hope the government looks into the proposal carefully and
listens to Johoreans before implementing it," Johor Tourism Guides
Association chair Jimmy Leong was quoted as saying in the Star
daily.
Malaysians who commute daily across the border in
Singapore-registered cars also said the proposal was unfair.
"We are Malaysians who contribute to the local economy by bringing
in foreign exchange. What about our rights to fuel subsidy,"
engineer Lee Keat Wei who works in Singapore told the New Straits
Times. - AFP
