For stranded father, bittersweet reunion as Singapore-Malaysia border reopens

Singaporean Mohammad Faris Abdullah, 37, reunites with his 6-year-old son Muhammad Ishaq bin Mohammad Faris after being separated for two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Johor, Malaysia, November 30, 2021. Picture taken November 30, 2021. REUTERS/Ebrahim Harris

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Mohammad Faris Abdullah's daily commute between his home in Malaysia and his job in Singapore took just 30 minutes.

But when the countries' borders shut without warning in March 2020, the 37-year-old food delivery driver was left stranded and homeless in the city-state. Almost two years later, an easing of restrictions this week finally allowed him to see his family again.

Singaporean Mohammad Faris Abdullah, 37, reunites with his 6-year-old son Muhammad Ishaq bin Mohammad Faris after being separated for two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Johor, Malaysia, November 30, 2021. Picture taken November 30, 2021. REUTERS/Ebrahim Harris

"It is like you have been locked up in the prison ... then you finally get to see your son and family," said Mohammad Faris, speaking from Singapore before heading to Malaysia's southernmost border city, Johor Bahru.

He was one among tens of thousands in both countries left stranded by the closure of one of the world's busiest land borders, separated from families and fearing for their jobs.

His son was four when Mohammad Faris last saw him.

Singaporean Mohammad Faris Abdullah, 37, uses his smartphone at a parking lot where he once lived in his car for about six months, ahead of his trip back to Malaysia after being separated from his family for two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Singapore, November 27, 2021. REUTERS/Joseph Campbell

"I was surprised. He is very tall and his shoes are also big," he said, during an emotional reunion with the now six-year-old.

"I have to spend more time to understand him better," Mohammad Faris said, expressing regret over the time spent apart.

His son, Muhammad Ishaq bin Mohammad Faris, was simply pleased to see his father again. "I missed papa and I'm happy papa is here."

Singaporean Mohammad Faris Abdullah, 37, packs his luggage ahead of his trip back to Malaysia after being separated from his family for two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in Singapore, November 27, 2021. Picture taken November 27, 2021. REUTERS/Joseph Campbell

The father, who was forced to sleep in his car near a beach in Singapore for six months before moving in with his brother, said he made friends with others who were stranded like him.

    Despite cross-border land and air travel resuming for vaccinated citizens this week, returning to his home just across the border was still not straightforward.

    As a Singaporean, Mohammad Faris was not eligible to use the land crossing into Malaysia, currently restricted to citizens with long-term passes in both countries.

Singaporean Mohammad Faris Abdullah, 37, uses his phone to take pictures of Johor Bahru ahead of his trip back to Malaysia after being separated from his family for two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic, at a walkway near the causeway in Singapore, November 27, 2021. Picture taken November 27, 2021. REUTERS/Joseph Campbell

    Instead, he had to fly around 350 km (220 miles) to Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, before driving a similar distance back down the peninsula to see his family.

Malaysia and Singapore aim to open the land border to all travellers from mid-December, but there are concerns the plan could be postponed due to the Omicron coronavirus variant.

(Writing by Lee Ying Shan and Angie Teo; Editing by Ed Davies and John Stonestreet)