The WFH life of a dad and assemblyman

Lee feeding his son while attending a video conference with state officials at his house in Bukit Mertajam.

HIS torso is clothed in formal wear complete with a necktie but from the waist down, he’s clad in shorts: welcome to the new normal when working from home, even if you’re an elected official.

Machang Bubok assemblyman Lee Khai Loon has shared how life as a new father can be while working from home during the latest movement control order period.

While attending a video conference with top state officials from his home in Bukit Mertajam on mainland Penang, he also had to feed milk to his seven-month-old son seated in a baby chair next to him.

The above scenario was captured in a photo that was posted on Lee’s Facebook page on Jan 21.

The caption read, ‘Behind the scenes on the meeting with the Penang state government. Life of a working dad during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown’.

Lee explained that since he and his wife, a programme officer, were now working from home, they decided to look after their baby boy themselves.

“Usually, we would send him to our parents.”

He said that with over 40,000 people to look after in his constituency, including his own son, he now realised the struggle many parents were going through during the MCO.

“Many families have been struck with financial difficulties and some parents who are working from home have decided not to send their child to care centres or nurseries.

“Some people may think that working from home is convenient but it really isn’t when you have to look after your children while trying to fully focus on work.

“I cannot imagine what it must be like for parents with many children at home, ” he said.

The PKR man said many people reacted to his photo and took the opportunity to share their experiences.

“This shows that facilities in care centres and nurseries need to improve to better support working parents, ” he said.