MCO: Parent's well-being remains top priority despite the distance

As the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it has been tough and heartbreaking time for ‘anak rantau’ (those who migrate to other places to seek a better life) for being unable to welcome the month of Ramadan tomorrow with their parents in their hometowns.

There is no annual ‘balik kampung’ routine to welcome the Ramadan month this time around with the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) that prohibits everyone from embarking on interstate travelling.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom as many have taken the advantage of the technology to ensure that their daily communication with the loved ones in the village continue uninterrupted, including the preparations for the Ramadan, despite the distance.

For trader Nor Aida Mohd Hanafi, 38, the WhatsApp application has provided the much-needed ‘closeness’ for her seven siblings, who are mainly looking to connect with their parents in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Nor Aida, who lives in Selangor, said her second brother who lives in Gua Musang is now looking after their parents in the village.

“My brother currently stranded in the village so he is looking after our parents and we all will talk daily to find the best ways so that our parents don’t have to go out and look for daily necessities.

“The easiest is to use local runner services via social media for the purpose of delivering essential goods and food,” said Nor Aida to Bernama.

For Khalida Syazwani Khamis, 29, she has to forego the annual routine of returning to her hometown in Muar, Johor, at the beginning of Ramadan this year and this time she will not be able to enjoy her favourite ayam masak kicap prepared by her mother - normally served during sahur (early morning meal) on the first day of fasting.

“My mother is 51 while my dad is 53 and usually I will see them every month but not this month, so I will make video calls to my parents daily just to know how they are doing,” she said.

Khalida Syazwani said in order to prevent her parents from going out as Muar was declared as a red zone, she had enlisted the help of relatives and cousins who lived nearby to help buy daily necessities.

“Mom and dad are at risk group, so I told them to stay at home while I take care of their needs from here using WhatsApp application,” said Khalida Syazwani who has been living in Selangor for the past eight years.

Meanwhile, Siti Sarah Rusli, 27, one of the frontliners at a quarantine centre in Johor Bharu said, as she could not visit her mother during Ramadan this year, she would hire a runner once a week to buy daily essentials for mother who lives in Benut, Pontian, Johor.

“This is the first time I am not fasting with my mother. Even after I am done with my job here I will still need to be quarantined for 14 days first before I can go home to my mother,” said Siti Sarah who has been a Civil Defence Force (APM) volunteer for the past four years.

It is slightly different story for a private sector employee Yusnita Khalib, 32, as her constant worry about her mother well-being has become a nightmare when her mother’s residence in Flat Seri Murni phase 1 is currently placed under Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) since April 20.

Although there is no big distance between her own residence and her mother’s, the EMCO has made it difficult for her to send food and other daily necessities.

“So I am using the food delivery service to help my mom as she is suffering from chronic illnesses and couldn't move much. The delivery man tried to encourage me not to worry too much about the supply for my mom's house,” said Yusnita who would make several video calls to her mother daily just to be sure of the latter’s well-being.

Praying for the COVID-19 situation to come to an end soon, Yusnita hoped all Malaysians continue to adhere to the MCO directives so that the outbreak to be completely broken and things will return to normal. - BERNAMA