Please don't make it difficult for Singaporeans

I'm making this appeal on behalf of my mother.

She forwarded to me this just now

and asked whether it's true.

I told her that I'm not sure, but if it's true, I think the authorities were over-reacting.

I don't think the coronavirus outbreak already warrants such a drastic action at this stage.

My mother sounded really worried.

She's scared that it may lead to a total ban on Singaporeans coming to Malaysia.

My mother is currently looking after my elderly and quite often sick grandparents.

Our relatives in Singapore regularly traveled here to visit them.

My aunts (my mother's sisters) are among them.

It's one of the little comforts of my grandparents whenever they came visiting.

My mother is worried that it's going to be difficult or even impossible for them to come over.

She said my grandparents would be very sad if that happens.

"Please tell them not to ban Singaporeans from coming to Malaysia," she pleaded.

I tried to comfort her the best that I  could but there's only so much that I could do.

Therefore, I'm appealing to those in position of power, if any, who may read this to consider my mother's appeal.

Furthermore, please also consider not to be too harsh on our Singaporean friends during these difficult times as they have been good to us, especially over the past few years when relations between our countries improved.

Bear in mind too that they are contributing a lot to our economy, especially via their FDIs here and the huge number of Singaporean tourists crossing the Teberau Straits daily.

And also the thousands of Malaysians' who cross the same straits to work in the republic.

Please think of what may happen to them, their jobs and families if we put too harsh restrictions on Singaporeans coming here.

Despite whatever the negative things some of us think of the Singaporeans, they are actually our closest brothers and sisters...as well as neighbours.