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JOHOR BARU: The psychological toll of the Covid-19 pandemic on Malaysians working in Singapore and their families here has risen, and calls for help have doubled this month, according to data compiled by the Malaysia-Singapore Workers Task Force (Pemas).
Its president, Dayalan Sreebalan, said he received hundreds of calls a day from those affected by the closure of the Singapore-Malaysia border.
“We have established a helpline to help people working in Singapore, as well as their families since August.
“We receive hundreds of phone calls every day and since the automated moratorium ended last month, the number has increased by at least 50%,” he said, adding that they have received up to 400 calls and texts in just one day. .
He added that apart from financial problems, including fear of being fired, Pemas also often received calls from people expressing their plight of not being able to see loved ones.
“Some fear losing their jobs if they return to Malaysia for a short visit under the Periodic Posting Agreement (PCA),” he said.
Dayalan added that there have been three possible stress-related suicide cases suffered by Malaysians working in Singapore.
“We urge the government to investigate these cases and ways to prevent these incidents from happening again.
“More people are expected to be laid off at the end of this year due to economic uncertainties and this matter should be urgently examined,” he said.
On Thursday, a 36-year-old Malaysian who works as an operator for a courier company in Singapore jumped from the eighth floor of his flat.
The man was supposed to return to Malaysia under the PCA only 10 days before the incident.
His 35-year-old wife said she had a 15-minute video call with her husband just three hours before the incident.
“He sent his address in Singapore and his emergency contact number there to all his family members in Malaysia before the video call.
“When we asked her why she did it, as it was something quite strange, her response was that it was only in case of an emergency,” she said, adding that her husband did not show any signs of distress during the call or days before the incident. .
Members of his family are waiting for Singapore authorities to investigate the incident to confirm whether it was a suicide.
Meanwhile, family members of those working in Singapore worry that the increase in Covid-19 cases in Malaysia could make the wait to see loved ones even longer.
Retired Tan Ah Mui, 67, said she has been living alone for the past eight months as her two children are trapped in Singapore.
“My daughter lives in Singapore with her husband and children, while my son lives with me and used to commute to Singapore daily.
“This is the first time that I have to live alone here. It’s getting harder and harder not to feel alone, ”she said, adding that she misses her children and grandchildren.
Those facing emotional and psychological distress can call Befrienders KL at 03-7627 2929, Befrienders Johor Baru at 07-3312300, Muar at 06-952 0313, Melaka at 06-2842 500/700 and Seremban Befrienders at 06-6321 772 / 3.
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