I left home without it. Not once but twice last week. Realised the mistake just as I was about to get into my car for my weekly shopping. I then walked down the stairs to the ground floor (first security station). Next to level 7 (second security station). Upwards to level 30. The not so quick or convenient aspect of living in a condominium.

Washed my hands. Sweaty and annoyed. Went back down again to my parking bay on level 3. The unpleasant experience should have etched itself in my memory but sadly not.  Two days later as I was walking towards my regular fruit seller’s van, it dawned on me that I had done it again.  Same drill. Up again. Lifts, floors and security scans. Down once more.

It wasn’t my wallet. It wasn’t my identity card. It wasn’t my driving license. It was my mobile phone. I left home without it. The mobile phone has more currency than cash. Particularly during this pandemic. And, particularly, with the Government developed MySejahtera app. The app is a must-have as it offers features and functions that enable access as well as health and Covid-19 related information.

My top use is its ‘Check-in’ feature. With my mobile phone, all I need to do is scan the QR code to register and gain entry into shops, businesses, Government departments and public transport. Plus, yes, to buy mangoes and guavas for my mum from the mobile fruit seller’s van. His MySejahtera QR code business details read ‘Buah’ or fruit. In Malaysia, it’s mandatory to ‘Check-in’ before using and/or entering any public or business premises. Fines of up to RM10,000 for individuals and RM50,000 for companies can be imposed for failing to do so. That’s more than enough reason to remember my mobile phone and use the ‘Check-in’ feature. I can still visit shops and other premises the old-fashioned way. Pen and paper. By signing in a registry book. While easy enough, it means remembering to pack a pen or worse using a pen touched by others. Not a nice thought. The other functions of the ‘Check-in’ feature are to reduce visitor congestion, prevent the spread of the infection by increasing compliance of the new norms, and ensure the safety of user’s data.

I have used the app to register my mum as my dependent for her vaccine appointment and mine. After both doses, the digital certificates are now stored under ‘Profile,’ which also displays both my mum’s and my low-risk status.  So far, two supermarkets, Jaya Grocer’s and Isetan, required me to display my risk status before they waved me in. Occasionally, I check the app’s ‘Hotspot’ feature to track the number of positive cases within a 1km radius of my location in the last 14 days. The app also has a test to gauge risk levels, ‘SOS’ for emergency situations and ‘Health Facilities’ that help locate health screening facilities.

I have a few other apps that only work in and with my ‘very clever’ mobile phone. These apps, thankfully, don’t levy fines should I forget to sign-in/check-in. That said, they are indispensable in enabling financial transactions to take place. I have mobile banking apps that specifically provide extra measures of security for money transfers, withdrawals and deposits. My mobile phone is a must-have to approve payment for credit card purchases, and verify any monies paid out of my bank account. Naturally, I could do all of the above by physically visiting banks and/or shops, after scanning my MySejahteran app, but I’d really rather not. Especially in the current environment.

The other mobile phone apps that I would have trouble without are Google for browsing the internet, Gmail in case I need to do a quick response, WhatsApp for its effortless and free texting and telephone calls, Waze for helping me get lost less than I usually would, Camera for its ease of taking photos – not selfies – but documents, reports or just about anything that I can share quickly and easily via WhatsApp, Gallery which serves as my reference library, Contact numbers of family and friends, Clock for my morning alarm, and Calculator as I can’t count correctly beyond 10.  The rest, I like, but I can live without. Amongst them are Calendar, the numerous games, online retail outlets and food delivery company apps.

Listing my mobile phone’s many uses has elevated my appreciation for it. I know I should take better care of this important device. No more tossing it about and not remembering where I left it last.  Quite honestly, my mobile phone is like an appendage to my body. And, probably more useful than some of my actual body parts.