#trending: Employer in Malaysia treats 3 maids to holiday getaway, S$3,000 cash gift each for Hari Raya

MALAYSIA — A Malaysia entrepreneur treated her domestic workers to a luxury island getaway and surprised them with RM10,000 (S$3,000) of money each for Hari Raya Puasa celebrations, causing a stir on social media.

The 28-year-old entrepreneur, Ms Farah MJ, told Malaysian news site mStar that she wanted to treat her three workers as a gesture of appreciation. 

In a “Day in my maid’s life” TikTok video posted on April 10, Ms Farah recorded the scene as she surprised the workers with thick green packets each containing RM10,000 cash.

She told mStar that she wanted the workers, who are from Indonesia, to send the money back to their families.

“I want them to feel joy even though they can’t go home to celebrate (Hari Raya) in their hometowns.”

“The amount is big for them, especially when they exchange it for their currency in their country,” she added.

Next on the agenda was a helicopter ride to an island getaway at Desaru Beach in Johor before Eid, which is the end of the fasting month of Ramadan for Muslims.

Ms Farah filmed her one of her helpers seated on a posh helicopter, along with her Ms Farah’s daughter on her lap.

The employer also booked a private suite for her workers for the three days and two nights of holiday.

Giving a tour around the suite, she showed via the video a private pool and bathtub in the lavish apartment-sized suite.

Sensing that Ramadan would be a time when they would think of their family the most, Ms Farah said that she wanted to ease her workers’ homesickness through the trip.

The entrepreneur, who works in the export and import sector, said that she also gifted her helpers festive clothes that matched those her family was wearing.

“I consider them part of the family. That is why I appreciate their commitment and responsibility and continue giving gifts like these.”

The now viral TikTok video has amassed close to five million views as of Thursday (April 20) evening.

The extravagant treatment impressed social media users, prompting some to jokingly offer to be Ms Farah's domestic worker. 

One asked: “Bestie, do you need another maid?”

Another praised: “It’s so sweet how you treat your maids as family.”

However, some people had doubts about how authentic her gesture was.

One TikTok user wondered why the workers were in uniforms while on holiday, pointing out that they were still wearing the black-and-white attire even after they had arrived at the destination. 

“They are still carrying the baby, so still working,” another said, as the workers were seen holding Ms Farah’s children at various points in the video. 

Various employers have been giving rewards and treats to their domestic workers, based on what has been put out on social media.

Earlier this month, a worker was moved to tears when her employer surprised her with tickets to BTS’ Suga’s concert. 

In October last year, an Indonesian domestic worker was reunited with her daughter whom she had not seen in three years, after her employer flew her family down to join them on their family trip.