By Lee San

Our ship was stranded in the Atlantic off the coasts of South America on our way back from the 16-day Antarctica expedition thanks to a series of lockdowns imposed by modern-day nations. Our calm, positive-minded and sharp-witted captain while telling all to help one another in overcoming this enormous psychological stress, was busily talking things out with national authorities. After much disappointment and seven days locked out in the seas, our captain finally managed to take 191 of 15 nationalities aboard safely home! We couldn't have thanked the responsible and dutiful French captain enough for delivering us out of near despair.

There were only 25 positive COVID-19 cases in Malaysia when I set off for Antarctica. And by the time I came back to real-life world (March 24), the virus had already ravaged a total of 180 nations, with Malaysia reporting over a thousand cases (more than 3k now).

And before I left the country, Pakatan was still very much in charge. But with politics now in complete disarray, the virus sickening us, and the national economy on the brink of collapse, how I wish our new Captain can put things back in order, and be fair to every one of us.

Our home-bound flight took us across three continents and two oceans. During the 15-hour flight, every passenger onboard was overwhelmed by joy in anticipation of seeing our loved ones at home. But, what happened at Dubai airport took us off guard. Emirates had announced to suspend most of its flights. As a result, the airport was packed with passengers on transit from the West anxious to rush home. From the pupils of their eyes lying bare above their masks, I could see intense fear, panic and uneasiness. Apparently the outbreaks beyond were extremely perilous. Major airlines had suspended their services. For the few still flying, the airfares were several times higher. Outside the terminal building, hundreds of airplanes lay neatly on the apron. Everything was frozen, frightful, and grim.

Weirdly, even as the situation was precarious, the Dubai airport authorities appeared to have taken things largely in stride.

As a matter of fact, the screening procedures at KLIA were equally lax. They never verified our personal particulars, giving us an advice slip instead and telling us to go on home quarantine. You can imagine the instant relief in tensed up passengers arriving from America and Europe on the same flight. If unfortunately any of these passengers was infected, it would be an uphill task to track down each and every passenger on that flight.

From what I know, the tracking wristbands used at Kuching airport are far more efficient in quarantine enforcement. Luckily mandatory quarantine at designated centers has gone into effect from April 3. I understand  quarantine is not going to be fun, but I will extend my fullest cooperation not to make life any more difficult for our devoted frontliners.

To be honest, our health department has done a superb job in the ongoing fight against the virus. That said, the MCO should not be dragged on for too long. We need to zero in on specific targets and get the virus purged soonest. For Heaven's sake, please don't overlook the migrant worker communities which tend to assemble in groups. They are like walking time bombs that will potentially wipe out all our efforts during MCO.

Worried about me stranded in the seas, my friends said caringly, "It's good to be home again, but let me warn you MCO is no joke. You'd better not get suffocation, constipation, insomnia, anxiety and depression."

I responded laughingly, "Cheer up, man! You'll also get happily pestered by family and loved ones!"

In fact, even as everyone is arguably working from home, with the pause button on in much of our world today, there isn't much work one can do, not to mention sleepless nights worrying about the boss, company, and what after this whole thing has come to pass. Many say bosses owe their big fortunes and luxuries to their hardworking employees. But, will they take care of you now that they are in hot water themselves.

Some old friends anxiously glued to  the TV set for the prime minister's live speech shook their heads in frustration. "The government is not stupid. They know how to fix the economy in a political way. Are they really bothered we don't have enough money to spend, or just want to firm up their support base?" I can understand the disenchantment of bosses, but worry not as I believe the government will do everything to help low-income people before the disaster strikes, because hungry men can get really violent!

I'm sure the government will come up with additional measures to help the SMEs. They know that bailing out a boss is as good as bailing out tens or even hundreds of workers and millions of Malaysian families. This logic is not so hard to understand, right?

The reality is, there are still, expectedly, deviations and inadequacies in the government's stimulus package at this stage. Is the government ready to see companies and businesses wind up, sending possibly millions out of job? That will spell the end of a ruling government! Whoever helming a government should know how to act sensibly.

11th day into my self isolation, I was brought back to the memories of our brilliant French captain. But what about our prime minister? The rakyat will have to walk in your giant footsteps. So please, get your ministers in order first, and don't let any of them shame us any more!

P/S: Whether the virus is natural or man-made, it has at least taught us one thing, that we must treasure everything we now possess.

(Lee San is Founder and Group Executive Chairman of Apple Vacations. He has traveled to 132 countries, six continents, and enjoys sharing his travel stories and insights. He has also authored five books.)