JOHOR BARU: For the primary time in two years, Mohd Fauzan Hafizi Rosli is surrounded by his family members in Johor throughout the holy month of Ramadan.
Fauzan, 33, who works as a technician in Singapore, stated he solely noticed his family by telephone screens since border closure on March 18, 2020.
“This is truly a very special Ramadan for me and my family. After two years, I finally get to once again enjoy meals cooked by my wife and mother. For me, no other food outside can compare to their cooking.
“I was overwhelmed with happiness when I woke up for sahur (pre-dawn meal) yesterday morning and saw my family preparing meals in the kitchen.
“It was a very different atmosphere compared to the past two years where I mostly took my sahur alone at my rented room in Singapore,” he stated.
He added that he, his spouse and daughter took a brief go to again to their hometown in Kota Tinggi to spend the primary day of Ramadan with his dad and mom.
“I reached Johor Baru from Singapore at around 1am on April 1. The very next day, we drove to Kota Tinggi to spend some time with my parents whom I really miss,” he stated.
He added that he was additionally grateful to lastly be capable of rejoice Hari Raya Aidilfitri with his four-year-old daughter who was solely two years previous when he final noticed her.
“I felt really bad for not being able to celebrate Hari Raya with her or just to be there for her in the past two years of her life but I had no choice. Thankfully, we do not have to go through such a painful separation again after this,” he stated.
Meanwhile, manufacturing unit operator Mohd Hafiz Jainudin, 27, stated he was wanting ahead to visiting Ramadan bazaars round Johor Baru and trying to find his favorite air kathira and ayam golek.
“I am very grateful that I am finally with my family for Ramadan and Hari Raya this year. The reopening of the border is definitely a dream come true.
“I am also excited to try out the food in our Ramadan bazaars here. Although there are bazaars in Singapore, it is not the same as the ones here.
“I also had to be very careful when spending money there so I did not really buy too much food from the bazaars,” he stated.
Meanwhile, technician Raja Mohammad Haziq Raja Jaafar, 28, stated he was relieved that he may now journey forwards and backwards between Johor and Singapore with out having to undergo any quarantine or take Covid-19 assessments.
“I was able to return home for Hari Raya Aidilfitri last year but it came at a heavy price as I had to go through quarantine for 21 days at that time.
“This time, I can go back and spend Ramadan and Hari Raya with my family without having to go through any quarantine. It is such a relief,” he stated.
