While some of us may be frustrated that we are separated from our loved ones since the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO), this young boy is doing his best to cope now that he’s living all alone, separated from his parents all the way in Malaysia.
As reported by Channel News Asia, Koh Ji Sen is a 14-year old Malaysian student who now lives in Singapore, far away from his family in Tebrau, Johor Bahru.
Photo: Channel News Asia
His parents decided that he should stay in Singapore as soon as the nationwide MCO began on March 18 so he would not miss out on school.
“We were a bit nervous … We didn’t know if he could do it (live alone),” said his father, Koh Choon Meng, who agreed to bring his son back to Malaysia if he is unable to cope with his living situation.
Ji Sen, who is a student at a school in Yishun, at first did not agree with his parent’s decision. However, he was also worried about the prospect of missing his lesson (like a true Asian!).
“I initially said no … I’d be alone. I’d be separated from them (my family) but I was also worried that if I didn’t go to Singapore, I’d miss my lessons.”
“I feel lonely sometimes because of a lack of support and human contact,” said Ji Sen,
“I’m just happy for school to start; it’ll be easier to pass the time.”
Ji Sen was excited with his new-found independence, quoting that no one would be able to tell him what time he should sleep anymore, as he stayed up past midnight and watched documentaries on YouTube.
However, he soon came to a realization that he had a stomach to feed and a house to maintain.
As his mother used to do all the house chores, he now had to learn to do housework such as mopping the floor and balance his S$400 monthly allowance.
“Suddenly, I had to be an adult. I have to manage money and household chores … buy groceries by myself and choose the vegetables,” said Ji Sen,
“I appreciate my mother more now,” he added.
For the first time in his life, he also had to learn how to cook, and evidently, with this picture of overcooked frozen dumplings, his first few attempts did not go so well.
Photo: Channel News Asia
He is now better at cooking and can make spaghetti with tomato sauce or heat up frozen Chinese glutinous rice balls on days he’s not ordering takeouts.
Photo: Channel News Asia
Saving was also a concern as everything in the supermarket was three times more expensive than in Malaysia because of the exchange rate.
“I told him to stop comparing the prices and just buy what he needed,” said his father.
Ji Sen only spends S$12 daily for his meals and does grocery shopping only once a month while trying to not spend more than S$20 each time on frozen food, milk and snacks.
Ji Sen also abides by the circuit breaker imposed by the Singaporean government and only goes out to buy his meals and groceries.
He also calls his family every night, but with each passing day, he’s grown more homesick and it certainly does not help that he can see the Johor Bahru skyline from his bedroom window.
Photo: Channel News Asia
“(The view) makes me miss my parents … sometimes I’d just look (at Johor Bahru) because I have nobody to talk to and engage (with),” he said.
He was disheartened, especially after knowing that the MCO has been extended, but he tried to remain positive now that the school has reopened.
“When (the movement control order) was extended, I felt quite sad. I didn’t expect it to be so long,” said the boy.
“But school is opening on Tuesday. I feel very good. (There’s) more time to spend in school.”
Ji Sen, like many other students from Johor, has been commuting by bus to Singapore, waking up at 4 am every weekday to reach school on time.
Well done to Ji Sen for preserving throughout this difficult time. Hang in there!
By: Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya
