It’s hard enough that some people have lost their jobs due to the Movement Control Order that was implemented in the country on 18 March. It’s harder being in another country especially for Malaysians who are working in Singapore, because most of them will have to deal with the high cost of living, unemployment and being separated from their families.
Photo via The Straits Times
As they can’t afford to live in Singapore any longer, a group of Malaysians opted to walk back home on foot.
According to Berita Harian, a 30-year-old production assistant, Nur Hamidah Jamal who works for Singapore’s electricity sector, had to take unpaid leave after the country announced that they will be closing schools and other non-essential industries to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“We’re worried because a month is a long time and we’re concerned that we can’t afford to keep living in Singapore due to its high cost of living,” said Hamidah.
“We really can’t afford to live here anymore because most of us will likely lose our jobs now that factories are closing, because we are not included in Singapore’s list of essential services. Though our bosses assured us that we won’t be unemployed, we have to take unpaid leave for a month,” she added.
She also said that she made the journey back to Johor on foot after she got a health clearance to return to Malaysia. Hamidah wasn’t alone in her journey back to Malaysia as there were other Malaysian workers walking the 1.5km stretch back to Malaysia.
“I used to go back and forth to visit my family in Johor Bahru, but we’ve been separated since the movement control order (MCO) was implemented in Malaysia. I have been staying alone in Malaysia ever since.”
“I can’t bear the thought that my husband and son going through Ramadhan on their own” she added.
We hope that everyone is safe with their families now!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
