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SINGAPORE - No recreational travel is likely this year or early next year as countries that are still knee-deep in the Covid-19 pandemic continue to play it safe and keep tourists away.
Speaking at the The Straits Times Covid-19 Webinar, Professor Teo Yik Ying, dean of the National University of Singapore Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said: "When we (travel), we end up being exposed to many different factors that are beyond our control."
He noted that Covid-19 transmission could happen on the plane, at the hotel or at local tourist attractions.
Citing the example of Australia, he said the country had almost eliminated its Covid-19 cases last month but has now reported fresh outbreaks in Melbourne and New South Wales.
"If we look at what's happening in Hong Kong and Australia right now, the situation changed very quickly within a matter of two to four weeks.
"So, when it comes to mass market tourism, regrettably, I think we will not be able to travel out of Singapore for the foreseeable future," Prof Teo added.
He suggested taking a staycation on Pulau Ubin or Sentosa instead.
His comments come a few days after National Development Minister Lawrence Wong said leisure travel was unlikely this year, although essential business travel was possible.
Last Friday (July 17), Mr Wong, who co-chairs the multi-ministry task force tackling Covid-19, said it was unlikely that the infection worldwide will disappear by the end of the year; making travel risky.
But negotiations with countries on reciprocal green lane arrangements will continue, to allow for essential business travel as long as mutual control measures are in place.
Weighing in on the discussion during the webinar, Professor Dale Fisher, a senior infectious diseases consultant at the National University Hospital, noted that theoretically, leisure travel is possible between like-minded countries.
The key is trust in each other's health systems and processes, as well as the management and containment of Covid-19 cases.
Prof Fisher said: "For instance, we would be comfortable with China because as soon as they get a case, they will lock down the whole area, swab everyone within a certain radius, and we could be comfortable that China is not going to send any potential Covid-19 cases to Singapore."
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian government has no intention of restricting individuals’ freedoms on social media, said Minister for Communication and Multimedia Saifuddin Abdullah, following backlash against his earlier response in parliament that all film producers must apply for a licence prior to production.
In a media statement released on Thursday evening (Jul 23), the minister said that reports on his remarks had given an "inaccurate impression" and imparted a different meaning from his intended answer.
“When answering, I only explained regarding current laws, which is the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) Act, which was passed by parliament in 1981,” said Mr Saifuddin.
“It needs to be stressed that the Perikatan Nasional government has never, and has no intent, to use this Act to restrict individuals’ private freedoms on social media, which was a phenomenon which did not exist when the Act was enacted,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Mr Saifuddin had said that all film production, whether for mainstream media broadcast or personal social media, required a licence from the government agency regulating the film industry.
He was replying in parliament to Kluang MP Wong Shu Qi, who had asked whether it was compulsory for all film producers to apply for a film production licence and a film shooting certificate - regardless of whether they were media agencies or individuals - who were publishing their films on social media or traditional channels.
Mr Saifuddin's response sparked debate and drew criticism from opposition MPs, who said this would unfairly burden social media users.
According to the licence application guidelines on FINAS' website, applicants have to be registered as owners of a private limited company with a paid-up capital of at least RM50,000 (US$11,778).
In his statement later on Thursday, Mr Saifuddin said that the Act had been used by the previous Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional governments, and that back when it was created, platforms such as TikTok and YouTube did not exist.
The ministry has taken note that the Act needs to be improved, said Mr Saifuddin, and is open to receiving any suggestions in improving not just the FINAS Act, but other legislation under its purview.
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KUALA LUMPUR: All film production in Malaysia, whether by mainstream media for traditional broadcasting or personal social media, requires a licence from the government agency regulating the film industry, said Minister for Communications and Multimedia Saifuddin Abdullah.
In replying to a question raised by Kluang Member of Parliament (MP) Wong Shu Qi in the parliament on Thursday (Jul 23), he said film producers should inform the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) no later than seven days prior to filming via submission of forms.
“No one can participate in any film production, distribution or broadcast activities or any combination of these activities unless a licence is issued authorising the person to do so,” Mr Saifuddin quoted the National Film Development Corporation Act.
He explained that the agency issues three licences for each of the above activities.
“Film producers are required to apply for a Film Production Licence and a Film Shooting Certificate, whether they are mainstream media agencies or personal media showing the film on social media platform or traditional channels,” he said.
Ms Wong then queried the minister on the exact definition of film, asking if this would affect social media users on platforms such as Instagram or TikTok.
Mr Saifuddin replied by quoting legislation that defined film as recordings on any material, including features and short films, short subject films, documentaries, trailers, and short films for advertisement, for viewing by members of the public.
“The government encourages everyone, young or old, individuals or organisations to produce any form of films, as I mentioned just now, as long as it follows the law,” Mr Saifuddin said, adding that the government had offered various grants from different agencies for the purpose.
In a follow-up question, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil from Parti Keadilan Rakyat asked if an American Youtuber had followed such regulations in producing a video rebutting Al Jazeera’s documentary on the treatment of illegal immigrants in Malaysia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The documentary titled Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown is now the subject of a police probe.
Dr Dustin Pfundheller, who runs the Other Side of the Truth Youtube channel, had produced the video titled Top 15 Mistakes in Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown. It was subsequently reshared by state news agency Bernama on its Twitter account.
Mr Saifuddin said this would be left to the authorities, and if there were any complaints, action would be taken in accordance with the law and depending on the case.
BACKLASH AGAINST MINISTER'S STATEMENT
The minister's statement has drawn criticism from opposition politicians and MPs, with Ms Wong, who raised the initial question, saying that if that is the case, the government would have to take action against TikTok users and request Youtubers to apply for a licence.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Mr Saifuddin's "unreasonable" statement was a step backwards.
"It is clear the government will take action on all parties, whether politician or social media user, over content which might not be in line with its views," he said in a media statement.
According to the guidelines on licence application on Finas website, applicants have to be registered as owners of a private limited company with a paid-up capital of at least RM50,000.
Former youth minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said the requirements to apply for a licence would kill the creative content industry in Malaysia.
Simpang Renggam MP Mazlee Malik said with the advent of online lessons, students have to film their work and post on public platforms. They would not be able to afford to do so according to the Finas requirements, he added.
KUALA LUMPUR: All film production in Malaysia, whether by mainstream media for traditional broadcasting or personal social media, requires a licence from the government agency regulating the film industry, said Minister for Communications and Multimedia Saifuddin Abdullah.
In replying to a question raised by Kluang Member of Parliament (MP) Wong Shu Qi in the parliament on Thursday (Jul 23), he said film producers should inform the National Film Development Corporation (FINAS) no later than seven days prior to filming via submission of forms.
“No one can participate in any film production, distribution or broadcast activities or any combination of these activities unless a licence is issued authorising the person to do so,” Mr Saifuddin quoted the National Film Development Corporation Act.
He explained that the agency issues three licences for each of the above activities.
“Film producers are required to apply for a Film Production Licence and a Film Shooting Certificate, whether they are mainstream media agencies or personal media showing the film on social media platform or traditional channels,” he said.
Ms Wong then queried the minister on the exact definition of film, asking if this would affect social media users on platforms such as Instagram or TikTok.
Mr Saifuddin replied by quoting legislation that defined film as recordings on any material, including features and short films, short subject films, documentaries, trailers, and short films for advertisement, for viewing by members of the public.
“The government encourages everyone, young or old, individuals or organisations to produce any form of films, as I mentioned just now, as long as it follows the law,” Mr Saifuddin said, adding that the government had offered various grants from different agencies for the purpose.
In a follow-up question, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil from Parti Keadilan Rakyat asked if an American Youtuber had followed such regulations in producing a video rebutting Al Jazeera’s documentary on the treatment of illegal immigrants in Malaysia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The documentary titled Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown is now the subject of a police probe.
Dr Dustin Pfundheller, who runs the Other Side of the Truth Youtube channel, had produced the video titled Top 15 Mistakes in Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown. It was subsequently reshared by state news agency Bernama on its Twitter account.
Mr Saifuddin said this would be left to the authorities, and if there were any complaints, action would be taken in accordance with the law and depending on the case.
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