14YO M’sian Boy Has to Live in S’pore Alone to Study Due to the COVID-19 Border Closure

A couple of months ago, hordes of Malaysians rushed across the border after Malaysia announced its nationwide movement control order (MCO).

Malaysians who worked in Singapore had no choice but to live in Singapore during the MCO or risk losing their jobs.

Many workers were torn apart from their families as a result.

But it wasn’t just workers; some students were forced to live in Singapore as well.

And some, like this 14-year-old boy, had to live all on their own.

14YO M’sian Boy Has to Live in S’pore Alone to Study Due to the COVID-19 Border Closure

Malaysian student Koh Ji Sen has done a lot of growing up in a short period of time.

When Malaysia announced its MCO and border closure, Koh’s parents decided that he should move to Singapore, CNA reported.

The only problem was that he’d be all alone.

“We were a bit nervous,” Koh’s father said. “We didn’t know if he could do it (live alone). He’s been dependent on my wife all along. If he can’t cope, we’d have to bring him back.”

Desperate to find accommodation, Koh’s father called up several relatives and friends in Singapore.

Fortunately, Koh’s uncle offered his place as he had temporarily moved in with his daughter to help look after his grandchild.

The 14-year-old, however, was reluctant at first.

“I initially said no … I’d be alone. I’d be separated from them (my family),” said Ji Sen. “(But) I was also worried that if I didn’t go to Singapore, I’d miss my lessons.”

But just a day after the lockdown announcement, Koh packed his bags and moved to Singapore.

Adulting at a Younge Age

As any non-young person would know, being an adult sucks.

As a teenager, all you really have to worry about is doing well in school and whether that girl sitting next to you likes you.

This isn’t the case for Koh.

Initially, Koh was excited about his newfound freedom, as any teenager without parental supervision would be.

“I thought I could be independent—no one to control me, to tell me what time to sleep.”

So, he frequently stayed up late watching documentaries on YouTube.

Wait, that’s what I do. I guess there are some perks to being an adult after all.

But freedom from his parents came at a cost, as Koh has to learn how to manage a household all on his own.

“Suddenly, I had to be an adult. I have to manage money and household chores … buy groceries by myself and choose the vegetables,” said Ji Sen, who has an elder sister studying in Malaysia. “I appreciate my mother more now.”

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The 14-year-old even learned how to cook.

While the young student overcooked some frozen dumplings and accidentally burned scallion pancakes on his first few attempts, Koh can now make spaghetti with tomato sauce or heat up frozen Chinese glutinous rice balls on days when he is unwell, reported CNA.

I can’t even make Maggi Mee without spoiling the pails.

Reader Bao: Who uses pails to cook Maggi Mee?

A Thrifty Boy

Koh was initially reluctant to spend money on groceries because it was three times more expensive than in Malaysia, but his father convinced him to buy necessities.

“I told him to stop comparing the prices and just buy what he needed,” said Koh, who owns a factory in Johor Bahru,” Koh’s father said.

Still, the boy is thrifty.

Koh sets aside $12 a day for food, typically cai png from a coffee shop. He also only does grocery shopping once a month and tries not to spend more than S$20 each time on frozen food, milk, and snacks.

He even keeps a ledger where he lists his daily expenses.

Do you know any other 14-year-olds who do this?

He’s had to buy more clothes though, as Malaysia extended their MCO four times. When he left home in March, he had only packed a weeks’ worth of clothes.

Feeling Homesick and Lonely

Koh spends most of his time revising his schoolwork, watching YouTube videos, and napping.

That’s what most Singaporeans are doing right now, minus the schoolwork.

He only goes out to buy food or groceries because he’s afraid of contracting Covid-19.

This sounds like a nice, relaxing life, right? Watching videos and napping all day.

But after two months of living alone, Koh is starting to feel homesick and lonely, especially during the school holidays.

He also misses playing basketball with his friends and going to the water and adventure park near his home in Tebrau.

To make things worse, the boy can even see the JB skyline from his bedroom window.

“(The view) makes me miss my parents … Sometimes I’d just look (at Johor Bahru) because I have nobody to talk to and engage (with),” he said.

Talk about bad luck.

The 14-year-old calls his family every night, and his great-uncle also visits him regularly to check on him.

Fortunately, Koh managed to befriend a neighbour during the circuit breaker, who offered to help if he needed anything, and even gave him a bowl of home-made green bean soup once.

But since the school holidays are drawing to a close, Koh’s feeling a little better.

“When (the movement control order) was extended, I felt quite sad. I didn’t expect it to be so long,” said the boy. “But school is opening on Tuesday. I feel very good. (There’s) more time to spend in school.”

In addition to his freedom, there is one other perk of living in Singapore; not having to get up at ungodly hours.

According to CNA, Koh had to wake up at 4am every day to commute to his school across the border when he was living in Johor.

That’s something that’s rather well-known, though. I’m not sure why this bready guy is shocked.

Now, he’ll be able to sleep a little more.