Warning; this article sparks joy.
The Mid-Autumn Festival is upon us and as we stay at home with our families or visit our relatives in smaller groups, a group of people in Singapore are, sadly, unable to do so this year.
A number of Malaysian parents working in Singapore are separated from their children to continue to stay to work and fight for their family livelihood.
Most parents had originally planned to travel back to visit their families once a week or fortnightly.
They were unable to do so as the Singapore-Malaysian border was closed in March.
M’sia Politician Helps Bring Families Together Again
Female Malaysian Politician, Liow Cai Tung, helped some of these families to come together once again. She expressed that she was very grateful for the opportunity to witness families coming together after a long time apart.
In total, the young politician fought hard to bring a total of 9 children back to 8 parents. The youngest children were between the ages of 4 years to 6 months old.
Among these cases, one saw a mother leaving her newborn child, Cheng Cheng, behind in Malaysia before the border closure.
After her postpartum confinement and maternity leave, she went back to work and had to leave her child with an aunt.
Cheng Cheng’s parents spent the past 6 months only seeing her grow through occasional video calls and photographs.
How would you feel if you could only see your mother or father once a week through video call? Us too.
Some of these designated caretakers also broke down in tears as they returned the children to their parents. Cheng Cheng’s aunt grew very attached to her during this lockdown and was reluctant to return her.
Many babysitters had grown extremely fond of the children they have cared for over this long period of time.
The children come from Malaysian states as near as Johor, and as far as Ipoh, Selangor and Pahang.
How It Happened
Over 5 different time slots, the Immigrations and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) arranged for transportation and brought the children to their parents in batches.
The border officials assisting in moving baggage so that customs clearance could be completed smoothly. The process was sanitary and safe as the children fall within the vulnerable age range to the virus.
In early September, Johor has urged the Malaysian Government to review the state of crisis and economy and open the border as soon as possible.
The epidemic has separated many families within and outside of the country. This Mid-Autumn, let us be thankful that we are still with our families.
Our hearts are with those who are spending this season of festivities apart from your family.
You can read Ms Cai’s full Facebook post below:
Posted by Liow Cai Tung 廖彩彤 on Saturday, 26 September 2020
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