TRULY A LOAD OF WELCOME NEWS FOR MOTHERS TO BE
PETALING JAYA: First-time mother Nursyahieda Yusof has every reason to be happy.
Her baby is due early next year. A native of Raub, Nursyahieda, 32, has been married for almost two years.
The child could not have come at a better time.
“Of course, I am feeling very excited but at the same time, a little nervous.
“I got no experience but like any mother, I will do my best to raise my child. It’s a new journey for me as a parent,” she said in sharing her joy.
Nursyahieda said she has been going for her medical check-up regularly but so far, the scan machine at Putrajaya Hospital has yet to reveal the sex of the baby.
She is now into her eighth month of pregnancy.
“I feel tired easily and my husband keeps calling me up at my workplace every few hours.
“He is so worried. I feel so blessed and grateful for having him by my side,” said the administration and diplomatic officer with a ministry in Putrajaya.
Her husband Mohd Rizuan Mohd Haran, 30, is a research officer in a private firm.
To add to the couple’s bliss, there is good news awaiting them from the Government.
Children born between Jan 1, 2018, and 2022 will get RM200 worth of Amanah Saham units under the Amanah Dana Anak Malaysia 2050 (ADAM 50).
This was announced during the tabling of Budget 2018 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Oct 27.
In describing the incentive as a “good start”, Nursyahieda said she would not have thought of opening an account for the baby just yet.
“I have other things to worry about like work and gleaning information on how to take care of my firstborn.
“So in a way, I am glad the Government has come up with this scheme, targeting pregnant mothers,” she said.
Nursyahieda said she now aims to set aside RM100 every month to buy more units as long-term planning.
This savings will come in handy when her child starts schooling.
“My husband and I have decided not to take out a single sen from this account until our child turns 18. God willing, we will try to have a second child,” she said in jest, expressing hope that the Government will consider extend- ing the period to beyond 2022, so that more people could benefit from this scheme.
Nursyahieda also lauded other measures aimed at looking after the welfare of pregnant mothers and working women.
Among them are the proposed 90 days maternity leave for all private sector workers, all new office buildings to have childcare facilities and civil servants who are at least five months pregnant to be allowed to go home one hour earlier.
“As this is my first child, I do feel tired very fast towards the afternoon.
“So to be able to go home earlier to rest really helps to keep me fresh for the next day,” she said.
The longer maternity leave would also enable her to look after and breastfeed her child as well as spend more time with her family at home.
Nursyahieda said with all these measures in place, it would help to encourage more women to come out and join the workforce instead of assuming the role of a housewife.
“The Government did the right thing. There is nothing more that I could ask for with such recognition given to us,” she said.