June 04, 2020, 06:38 PM
Zeng Hui Jing is a Malaysian working in Singapore who recently travelled home to visit her ill father for the last time.
Was quarantined upon return
Her father, a 61-year-old fisherman, had been suffering from late-stage cancer, Sinchew Daily reported.
Zeng's family initially did not inform her of his illness because they didn't want her to worry. She was told the news only after his condition severely deteriorated.
Upon returning to her hometown in Perak, Malaysia, Zeng had to be quarantined for 14 days.
Under Malaysia's conditional Movement Control Order (MCO), Malaysians as well as foreigners coming back into the country would still need to be quarantined.
After making numerous appeals to see her father, she was finally allowed to see him on the ninth day -- but only if she donned the personal protective equipment (PPE).
Only got to see father for half an hour
She had initially gone to the hospital in Teluk Intan to visit her father, but was told at the hospital that her father was allowed to return to his home in Bagan Sungei Tiang.
The entire time, she was accompanied by a healthcare professional.
She eventually spent half an hour with her father, who was severely weakened by his illness, and only managed to exchange around five sentences with each other.
She said that her father did indeed look very weak and exhausted, but in order to not make her worry, he told her that "he's fine".
During that time, Zeng also took a family photo with her father.
Donning the PPE from 11am to 6pm, Zeng told Sinchew Daily:
"Even though it was uncomfortable and stuffy, at least I got to see my father and reunite with my family. It was worth it."
Father passed away on June 3
On June 3, 10am, Zeng finished her 14 days of quarantine and was finally allowed to go home. However, her father passed away earlier that morning at 6am.
Zeng has two sisters and a brother, aged between 19 to 26.
Her siblings had made it back to be with their father before the MCO kicked in. Zeng, who was working in Singapore, was the only exception.
Top photo via Sinchew Daily.
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