Woman Alleges She Was Left Stranded With Only RM4 After Testing Positive For COVID-19
Worried about the safety of the other workers in a factory bus, Siti Rohani claims that an employment agent left her to fend for herself. She walked aimlessly for four hours and almost fainted.
By Arisha Rozaidee — 23 Sep 2021, 12:46 PM
A 22-year-old was allegedly left stranded by an employment agent after she tested positive for COVID-19 at a clinic in Penang
Siti Rohani Ismail told Harian Metro that she had been fully vaccinated and was excited to receive a job offer as an operator at a factory in Perai.
She explained that around 7.30am on Wednesday, 15 September, the employment agent showed up at her house to pick her up, along with her cousin, and take them to the factory.
"After filling up forms, we were taken to a clinic to undergo a COVID-19 swab test," she added.
"At that moment, we were in a factory bus and the agent was also present but the swab test found that I was the only one infected with COVID-19."
Worried about the safety of the other workers, the employment agent left her and asked her to take a bus to either return home or head to a hospital
"I was speechless for a bit because I only had RM4 at the time and I didn't know the area," Siti Rohani said.
"However, I kept walking aimlessly from 11am and arrived at a restaurant around 2pm to buy some water because I was too thirsty," she added while explaining to Harian Metro how she almost fainted at the time due to low blood pressure.
According to her, she had to stop walking several times out of exhaustion and as soon as she arrived at the restaurant, she ordered some water but disclosed that she had COVID-19.
"I had to be honest because I feared that others will also be infected and thankfully, the restaurant owner's child contacted the hospital which then sent an ambulance to take me home," she elaborated.
Siti Rohani said that she has forgiven the employment agent and seeks to apologise to others she has troubled
She said that if it were up to her and her emotions, anyone else in her position would also be upset with the employment agent.
"However, I feel that forgiving someone is nobler than keeping a grudge because it will not bring any good," she added.
"I also would like to apologise to the passengers of the factory bus and the individual who was willing to help me call an ambulance and offer me water although they knew that I was COVID-19 positive."
Siti Rohani's story previously went viral on social media from the perspective of the restaurant owner
The post noted that the restaurant staff tried to contact the authorities to help Siti Rohani but she was told to call her family members to take her home. However, Siti Rohani disclosed that her family was struggling and did not own any vehicles that would've allowed them to come and get her.
She said that since the post went viral, she has been receiving donations for her family.
She told Harian Metro that she was born in an underprivileged family and as the eldest daughter, she was forced to take on the responsibility to earn a living as her father only works as a bottle collector.
She explained that her father could not carry out heavy work because a metal rod was inserted into his right leg after a motorcycle accident seven years ago.
"My father's condition led me to stop school and work at a restaurant since I was 15 years old so I could earn some money to support our family," she added.
Siti Rohani is now undergoing quarantine at her family home in Taman Kelisa Ria.
Remember to limit your movement and keep practising physical distancing. Find out the latest COVID-19 updates on the Ministry of Health's COVIDNOW website.
