By now, you should have read about the Malaysia lockdown and how Malaysians who commute to Singapore daily to work have to make a quick decision on whether to stay here to work or stay back in Malaysia for two weeks.
I mean, before my BMT, which comprises a 2-week confinement, I had ample time to get myself ready and I was never ready.
So it must’ve been tough for those workers, especially with the uncertainty on accommodation that has led some to sleep outside Kranji MRT Station…without Internet.
While there have been solutions, like a $50-per-night-per-worker grant that’ll be given to firms with such employees, the announcement is just too sudden; so much so that I presume some Malaysians didn’t even get to go back home to say goodbye before starting their “confinement” here in Singapore.
Some were lucky to have companies booking hotels for them, and now, the homeless would have a home.
Meet a team from the Ministry of Social and Family Development, the unsung heroes who have been working behind the scenes to solve the problem that has been 几夠力一下 for Malaysian workers.
Jurong East Sports Hall Turned Into Temporary Accommodation for M’sian Workers
Actually, I’ve been wondering: why not convert empty spaces, like those halls in Expo or empty schools, into temporary accommodation for them?
It turns out that I’m not the only smart person in Singapore: MSF has thought of that as well, and has been working behind the scene to convert a sports hall in Jurong East into proper accommodation.
And we’re not just talking about spaces for them to sleep; we’re talking about providing necessary daily essentials as well, since some of them won’t even have time to pack before being stranded in Singapore.
It certainly reminds me of the days when I went bald, but hey: in retrospect, that was the best time of my life.
Lest you’re wondering, Jurong East Sports Hall is located just beside the popular Jurong Canal that separates Jurong East and Jurong West. One can even walk to Chinese Garden MRT Station from the stadium.
And if there are any Malaysians who work as a cook living there, don’t try to show off your cooking skills, please: there’s a hawker centre just beside the stadium and honestly speaking, they’ve one of the best foods ever.
Here’s Grace Fu’s, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Facebook post that announced this innovative idea that I’m 101% is koped from my mind:
And here’s what she’s written lest you can’t read which I’ve koped from her post:
Malaysians sleeping rough in Singapore?
This team from MSF (on 12-hour shift) kept them sheltered in Jurong East Sports Hall. The Malaysian workers were stranded without proper accommodation. At the sports hall, they were registered and given a ready pack which included – toiletries, towel, toilet paper ( yes, one roll each) and a sleeping bag. They could shower and wash up before leaving for work this morning. Contact MOM if you know of any Malaysians in need of temporary accommodation.
This team of public officers are from MSF. How long did it take them to activate and implement the plan to house Malaysians? Less than 2 days.
On behalf of SportSG, I ask the members of public whose bookings were cancelled with short notice for your understanding and forbearance. Our staff at Jurong East acted quickly to turnover the sports hall to accommodate the workers.
#onlyinSingapore
#takingcareofMalaysianworkers.
#SGUnited.
#covid19
Let’s look at the heroes we need but don’t deserve again:
All I can say is that this crisis might have caused suffering now, but when it’s over, bonds would be stronger, and while we’ll definitely still argue with our Malaysian friends on whose bak kut teh is better, we know the brotherhood between us is, and always will be, strong.
But anyways, Ivan from Ipoh ah, I tell you, Singapore bak kut teh is better.
