Senior members were very grateful to SMOU for this personal touch of arranging a home visit with them during the Lunar New Year period. One member also commended the Union for helping him previously, when he encountered some difficulty with his salary.

Mr Tengku Mochammad Echman, an SMOU member of 25 years, said he misses the luncheon because Lighthouse Bistro was a place where seafarers could connect. He told SeaVoices he was really happy that SMOU still remembers him after all these years. He has been a seafarer for 35 years and reminisced about his old times and the friendships he’s forged throughout the years. “Terima Kasih SMOU—Thank You, SMOU.”

Mr Mohamed Bashir, an SMOU member of 40 years, shared that “SMOU treats us like family and takes good care of all of us members. The union also makes sure that members all stay connected and come to visit us very often, letting us know that they remember us and care for us.” It was a fruitful series of home visits as SMOU officials took this opportunity to catch up with senior members and spread some festive cheer to them while adhering to safe management measures.