SINGAPORE: Looking at the frequent congestion at the Johor Causeway and the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link, one wonders exactly how many Malaysians are working in the republic.
As of now, no one knows the exact figure but estimates are made based on the daily traffic flow through the two entry points on land.
However, the daily traffic data does not give an accurate picture because Malaysians heading to Singapore not only comprise those working in the republic, but also tourists wishing to stay there for a few days or those on a day trip to attend to personal or official matters.
Perhaps, the time has come to create a system to collect detailed information on Malaysians who enter and exit the republic, including the purpose of their trips.
Bernama understands that to date there is no system that one can refer to in order to trace and contact Malaysians who are in Singapore. Having access to such data is vital during a crisis such as the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia and Circuit Breaker in Singapore to stem the transmission of the virus may be an opportune time to look into creating a data collection system to keep track of the number of Malaysians in the republic.
The relevant agencies in both nations can collaborate to develop a system that will facilitate the process of contacting Malaysians there.
When the Malaysia-Singapore border was closed following the enforcement of MCO and Circuit Breaker, Malaysians in the republic were allowed to return home in stages.
During the first phase of the MCO (March 18-31), the Singapore authorities announced that about 10,000 work permit holders who commute to and fro the republic frequently would be given temporary lodgings.
However, the 10,000 include Singapore permanent residents who commute to Singapore from Johor Bahru frequently.
The system for collecting data on Malaysians in Singapore has to be developed before the MCO and Circuit breaker are lifted.
In the near future, a number of Malaysians will be applying for jobs in the republic to fill the vacancies created by fellow Malaysians who may have quit their Singapore jobs for various reasons. Some of them may have grown tired of commuting to the republic daily or have health problems or lost their jobs as their employers have wound up their business operations.
Then there are those who are fed up with the uncertainties posed by Covid-19, which has affected more than three million people worldwide.
What is most evident during a crisis like this is the dynamic nature of information, which changes almost daily. In fact, if any vital information is overlooked, it can change one’s destiny.
Not all Malaysians eking out a livelihood in Singapore are IT literate and many of them only possess ordinary mobile phones and not smartphones.
The following story of a Malaysian worker in Singapore, who only wanted to be identified as Ahmad, serves as a good example of why there is an urgent need to create a system to track Malaysians in the republic to facilitate the delivery of information to them.
“This is probably the last time I will work here,” Ahmad, 58, who helps to fix plaster ceilings, told this writer who found him looking worn out and sitting outside a clinic in Woodlands early last month.
The writer was at the clinic to monitor Malaysian workers coming there to get a fitness certificate which was a prerequisite for returning to Malaysia. There was a long line of Malaysians waiting for their turn to see the doctor.
Ahmad, who has four children, seemed at a loss whether or not to quit working in Singapore as he had a distant look in his eyes when this writer spoke to him.
He said his employer was still unsure whether to let him return to Malaysia or retain him throughout the movement restriction period.
“I too cannot make a clear decision… I’m confused… information keeps changing, there are too many assumptions and my children are pleading to me to return home as they are worried about my health,” said Ahmad, who is from Kota Tinggi, Johor.
This Singapore work permit holder has been commuting to work from Johor Bahru for the last 30 years.
He has been staying in Singapore temporarily since MCO was enforced but he is not sure what will happen during the duration of the Circuit Breaker which was initially up to May 4 but has been extended to June 1.
“If I stay here, I’ll have additional costs to bear as I’ve to pay for my lodging and food. My employer has stopped all construction work temporarily due to the Circuit Breaker.
“Actually, I am still strong and enjoy my work. I only suffer from gout,” he added. — May 8, 2020, Bernama
