New Straits Times

KAMUNTING, Malaysia – A mother’s love knows no bounds and for this, Che Tom Osman is paying the ultimate price.

Forced to take unpaid leave on numerous occasions since 2009 to take care of her daughter Nurul Atikah Bazilah Samsudin, who has been diagnosed with end-stage bone cancer, the 45-year-old is now out of a job.

She received a letter from her employer on the eve of Hari Raya stating that the management would not be entertaining her (unpaid leave) applications any more in the future.

The assistant supervisor was also asked to report for duty on Monday, failing which, she would be considered as being absent.

“The letter went on to state that I am considered to have effectively terminated my services with the company if I fail to turn up for two consecutive working days.

“This means that I will be out of job today but what choice do I have? My daughter is bedridden and needs constant care. It is not as if I am taking unpaid leave without any valid reason,” she said in between sobs when interviewed by the New Straits Times at her house here yesterday (Che Tom did not turn up for work on Monday and yesterday as she had to look after Nurul Atikah).

Her daughter made headlines recently after managing to personally speak to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by phone after arrangements were made by the Children’s Wish Society of Malaysia and Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

It had always been Nurul Atikah’s wish to meet Najib in person and shake his hands after seeing him so many times on the news.

She was first diagnosed with bone cancer in 2009 and had undergone 12 surgeries and 18 chemotherapy sessions at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre.

The once-active girl, who loves durian and petai rebus, is now being given morphine to help cope with the pain.

While accepting that her plight is fated, Che Tom voiced out her disappointment with her company’s management for treating her unfairly.

“I have served them for close to 14 years. Even if they want to terminate my services, they should not have done it this way.

“Even the attending doctor gas has written a supporting letter confirming my daughter’s health status but to no avail.

“The least they could do is to offer me some form of compensation for my (14) years of service.

“The money can then be used to pay for Nurul Atikah’s medication.”

She revealed that it is cost them close to RM5,000 (S$2,030) a month to buy the necessary medication for their daughter.

“I hope someone in the know (about employment matters) will come forward and assist me,” said Che Tom.

When contacted, deputy factory manager Wilson Ng said everything was done according to rules and regulations.