KULAI, April 1 (Bernama) — Being unable to meet his wife and child after Malaysia’s borders were closed since March 2020 has not been easy for Lee Kong Wah, 54, but he soldiered on in his work as a supervisor in a factory in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, determined to do his best for his family.

He said it was his first time being so far away from his family, who are staying at Taman Pulai Indah in Johor Bahru for such a long time, as previously he had returned home to Malaysia every three months to meet his relatives.

“I could only remain patient and endure it. Of course it wasn’t easy, twice my wife had to celebrate Chinese New Year on her own, and also manage the household and I always prayed for things to be easy for her.

“I was very worried, but during our video calls, she would be so supportive so that I remained strong to get through this, and now I’m so grateful to be back home,” he told reporters upon his arrival at Senai International Airport here today.

Lee was on Flight AK1491 from Ho Chi Minh (SGN), the first international flight from Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Vietnam to Johor.

Meanwhile, Lee’s fellow passenger, a Vietnamese woman who wanted to be identified only as Krung, who is in her 30s, said that it was easy for her to get a job in Malaysia compared to her home country and the relative safety she felt here compelled her to come over as soon as the border reopened.

Krung, who speaks fluent Malay, said her compatriots often spoke of interesting experiences during their time working here, and they managed to save enough to buy property and vehicles back home.

“Thank you, Malaysia. Most importantly, my friends always told me to follow all orders set by the government, including the COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP),” she said, adding that she would be working at a factory in Johor Bahru.

Malaysia closed its international borders on March 18, 2020 to stop the spread of COVID-19, and finally have been able to reopen the country’s borders today.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency