The Malaysian Insight

MALAYSIANS working in Singapore are not planning to return home for the Chinese New Year celebrations this year considering the severity of the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia and the quarantine cost.

Those interviewed said the cost and quarantine time are deterrents and they would rather bury themselves in work to forget about being separated from their families.

Wong Wai Theng, 35, who works in the transportation industry, told The Malaysian Insight that his brother, who is also in Singapore, persuaded him to stay.

“My brother is worried that it will be troublesome to re-enter Singapore and advised me not to return. So, I have decided to wait until the vaccine arrives in Malaysia before making plans.”

Wong’s hometown is in Penang and he used to live in Johor Baru. Previously, he travelled back and forth every day.

But he has not returned to his Johor Baru home since March 17 last year, a day before Malaysia’s movement-control order (MCO) was imposed nationwide.

“Back then I thought the country’s borders would only be closed for 14 days. I remember being in tears crossing the Causeway, feeling confused and directionless.”

The separation from loved ones in Malaysia, including his girlfriend, was worsened by a bout of dengue fever last June. He was placed in isolation for a week for observation after being discharged from hospital.

Many of Wong’s personal plans have been put on hold, including his proposal to his girlfriend.

“I also haven’t visited my parents for two years. This pandemic has made me realise that I should cherish every moment of separation and the people around me.”

The Chinese New Year falls on February 12 and 13.

The border between Singapore and Malaysia remains close to casual travellers and tourism.

Since last August, residents of both countries with long-term business and work visas were allowed to cross the border for work purposes.

As of January 11, Malaysians with permanent residency (PR) status working in Singapore are allowed to apply for a periodic commuting arrangement (PCA) plan to return to Malaysia.

Despite the permission to travel under the PCA, Eng Kok Siang, 40, a PR-holder working in the purchasing industry, said a return trip would cost him more than RM8,000 for Covid-19 testing and hotel isolation fees.

“It would take a total of 24 days to quarantine, back and forth, not including the time spent at home. The annual leave is not enough to cover the trip.”

Eng relies on video calls to keep in touch with his family. Unless there is an emergency, he is not making any plan to return home.

“It is better to stay back and work since the pandemic in Malaysia is getting worse, too,” he said.

This is the first year that he will stay put in Singapore for Chinese New Year but the severity of the coronavirus spread has him mentally prepared.

“From August to September last year, we saw repeated outbreaks in Malaysia, we also saw the third wave of outbreak.

“So, I am mentally prepared. As long as I have employment here, I must stay in Singapore.”

His other Malaysian friends in Singapore have the same attitude.

Tan Wen Wei, 39, who works at an oil rig, applied under the PCA to return home in September last year.

But as the Chinese New Year approaches, he has no intentions to return.

“I will spend at least S$2,000 (RM6,100) in quarantine just for a trip back.”

On his previous trip back to Malaysia, he felt reluctant to return to Singapore but did so for the sake of supporting his family.

“My child is asking when I will be returning, but I will not be doing so this year.”

Tan said he will focus on work to distract himself, as there is no “mood” to celebrate Chinese New Year.

“I hope that the checkpoint will reopen soon so that anyone who wishes to return can be reunited with their loved ones.” – January 12, 2021.