Expectations of women voters

“Adelia refused to drink formula milk for a week and I was beginning to worry since I have to start working already. And the night before, she didn’t want to sleep at all. She wasn’t being cranky, she just wanted to play. I guess she just wanted to spend more time with her mummy and daddy.

“So I sent my daughter at eight in the morning and at 11.36am I received a phone call from the nursery saying my daughter is not moving and she had the nerve to ask me why. My daughter was in a perfect condition when I sent her in the morning!” said Fariza.

She immediately went to a hospital in Shah Alam to see her baby and the doctors.

“I asked the doctor, how is my baby? Is she moving? They just shake their head and said they’ve tried everything but there was no respond. Adelia’s body was so cold and frozen!” she said.

As to what happened, she never found out. The doctor said the only way to find out what happened to Adelia is by performing the post-mortem which will take about two to three days.

“How can I let my baby suffer for another three days? So my husband and I decided not to go through with it. I know Allah will give us justice and show us the truth sooner or later. Adelia was perfectly healthy the morning I sent her. There was no fever or anything. What happened at the centre? Only God and the staffs at the centre know.

“My Adelia has gone up to heaven and she will be waiting for me, her daddy and her sister up there,” said the 34 year old mother with tears rolling in her eyes but still managed to smile.

All she wanted was for the government to provide childcare centres at work place.

Fariza’s case is not the first one we’ve heard. There have been numerous reports on this matter and the working mothers are asking for childcare centres at their work place in order to curb this tragedy from happening to others.

“I hope the government will start listening to us mothers. We need childcare centres at our work place so that we can observe our children and be there for them in case anything happen,” she added.

Traumatised by the tragedy, Fariza had to quit her job.

“I don’t trust private nurseries anymore. If there are childcare centres at our work place, I’m sure the government will only hire those who are qualified.

“I really hope it will be implemented soon because I’m tired of listening people say ‘Yes we will implement it, we will have one here’ etc etc etc. Even the previous company I worked with said they will provide us childcare centre but it was all talk. They did nothing up until now,” said Fariza who previously worked as an assistant buyer in the city.

Quitting a job is not an easy decision especially for those living in a big city like Kuala Lumpur where the cost of living is high.

Leaving the responsibility to the husbands alone is not enough especially for those with children. But imagine those without a husband. Single mother.

Single parent, Norazira Che Ahmad, 32 admits that life is not always rainbows and butterflies considering she has a pair of twin and works as a babysitter.

“My income as a babysitter is not enough especially living in KL. I received an aid from Baitulmal about RM250 a month and honestly, that is not enough. My sons are already in school, so you can just imagine all the necessities I have to provide for them.

“I wish the government will consider giving incentives and support for single mothers like me because we are helpless and can’t find other ways to solve our financial issue,” said Norazira.

Home economy is another issue faced by working mothers and Nor Azura Ibrahim shares her story.

“The price hike is getting ridiculous. Not all of us receives RM5,000 salary a month. I hope the price on the essential goods can be reduced.

“I have four children, which means more money to spend. So when can I start saving money for my future as well as my children’s future?” said the 33 year old mother.