We need to bridge our difference

The news reported recently that more and more Singaporeans are spending their golden years in nursing homes in Johor, Malaysia. The advantage are it's cheaper than Singapore's nursing homes but the quality of care is just as good. One downside is that every month the residents have to make the trip back to Singapore, stay overnight, then go back cos the visa is only for 30 days.

Hell, there's a bargaining chip for Malaysia. They'll give special visa for these nursing home residents if Singapore will agree to the bridge. Think of the savings Singapore get from not needing to build all the wheelchair ramps and lifts for the elderly. On the downside, those old folks that could look forward to a trip home at least once a month, now will be forgotten by their families for months at a time.

Hell, here's another idea! If Singapore agrees to the bridge, the old folks in Johor's nursing home will get a special express lane to return to Singapore every month so they don't have to queue in jam.

But no. Malaysia has created "passport-free zones" in Johor where visitors from Singapore will be exempt from immigration and custom clearance (STI 3rd Nov). The new regulation will not limit the stay. Sounds like the Malaysian authorities are making it easy for nursing homes to cater to Singaporeans. Nice of them. No mention was made of the Bridge in exchange for this unilateral move on their part to "promote tourism."

I wonder if our Airforce planes can also visit briefly, without passport of course, whenever they take off from Tengah?

Of course this also sets up the interesting situation of visitors requiring to pass through Malaysian Customs and Immigration while still in Singapore at Tanjong Pagar railway station, but not needing a passport while in Southern Johor.

Married couples may want to bring their marriage certs tho, in case the Islamic Police come knocking on your door at 2.00 am accusing you of Khalwat (happened to a nice retired American Christian couple on Langkawi in Oct 06.)