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PETALING JAYA / GEORGE TOWN (THE STAR / ASIA NEWS NETWORK) – Malaysia’s move to expand its movement restrictions to nine states on Monday (Nov 9) due to a surge in coronavirus cases has taken many by surprise and It has upset the plans of people preparing for weddings. , birthdays and public exams.
For Joy Ong, the imposition of the Conditional Motion Control Order (CMCO) in Penang accelerated her wedding by two weeks, with the determined bride rearranging her plans, all in 18 hours.
Ms. Ong, 27, said her wedding registration was supposed to be on November 21, with a lunch scheduled after the ceremony, followed by a wedding dinner on November 29.
“Thanks to CMCO, we moved forward the ceremony and tried our luck with our church, photographer, makeup artist and our wedding decorating team. I made a lot of phone calls and started the arrangements after 10pm on Saturday, and I’m thankful everything fell into place. .
“The only setback was that the restaurant we wanted to have lunch at was reserved for another wedding dinner. So we found another restaurant and everything is ready,” he said when they met at their wedding at Penang Christian. Center on Sunday.
Ms Ong, a design engineer, said that she initially thought about postponing her wedding, but thankfully the last-minute change worked.
Company executive JX Liew, 26, had to rush home to Ipoh in Perak state on Saturday night to celebrate her father’s birthday.
“I work in Penang and my parents were supposed to visit me this weekend to celebrate my father’s birthday.” But with CMCO, I rushed home before interstate travel was banned to spend time with them, “said Ms. Liew, who said it felt like deja vu because she didn’t get a chance to see her parents at early this year.
“The first lockdown was overwhelming, but at least we have technology to keep in touch. I miss them, but it is still manageable because I have good friends and colleagues here in Penang.
“Although my parents understand that the lockdown is necessary, they are concerned for my safety,” said Liew, who also dismisses the fact that it would be nearly impossible for her to celebrate her birthday in Ipoh this month.
The CMCO has also caused the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exam dates to be changed. The Level O equivalent exam is normally taken in November and December.
But the Education Ministry changed the test dates from January 6 to February 9 next year due to the pandemic, before postponing it further until February 22.
Yet the constant changes have caused anxiety and stress, parent groups said, exacerbated by a year of erratic classes and online lessons.
Students taking the SPM will resume face-to-face lessons in schools from January 20 to ensure they receive sufficient preparation before exams, Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin said on Sunday (November 8).
Melaka Action Group for Parents in Education chairman Mak Chee Kin said the ministry must be firm on dates.
“As it stands, these changes are causing anxiety and stress among students and parents. Make firm decisions about dates and have a comprehensive plan B if CMCO continues. Stop being firefighters.
“Also think about security measures to ensure that the SPM exam runs smoothly and fairly,” he added.
The president of the Malaysian Parent Action Group for Education, Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim, said that the rescheduling “is a tragedy”.
“Children are dropping out of schools and stress levels are increasing with the postponement of PMS again. How sure are we that it will not be rescheduled again?
“Prolonging the problem is not going to solve the problem; ensuring strict standard operating procedure is in place will,” he said.
The general secretary of the National Union of Teaching Professions (NUTP), Harry Tan, said that while he would like things to be safe regarding the dates of the SPM exams, the safety of the students comes first.
“However, we hope that the ministry will address the issues raised by parents, students and teachers faster and not take too long to respond,” he added.
Students feel a mixture of emotions.
SMK (P) Jalan Ipoh student Harishna Kajentharan, 17, described the postponement as “devastating” as it would affect her enrollment at the university.
“I’m going to waste a lot of time, but I’m trying to stay optimistic and hope for the best during this Covid-19 pandemic,” Ms Harishna said.
A Secondary Five student who wants to be known as Han from SMK (P) Methodist Ipoh, is upset that once again, exams have been postponed.
But it must be done, he admitted, considering the increase in cases.
“My Chinese New Year celebrations next year will be full of modules and worksheets, so I feel sad thinking about that,” he said.
Similarly, a student in Melaka who only wants to be known as Wong from SMK Munshi Abdullah, said the news was unexpected.
“I just have to stay strong and maintain my momentum to study and prepare for my PMS exam.
“I hope that the date will not be postponed again, as it will affect my momentum. I want to move on to the next phase of my life,” said the 17-year-old.
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