2007 07: Baby crying for missing mum

The Star online. Metro. North. Wednesday July 4, 2007

By TAN SIN CHOW

ELEVEN-Month-old Yap Gim Guan has been crying for his mother who left home two months ago.

His father Beng Jin, 36, said Gim Guan, now under the care of a grandaunt, misses his mother tremendously.

Beng Jin, a paint salesman, appealed to his Thai wife Monthita Seamao, 26, to return home, saying that any problem could be sorted out and resolved amicably.

“Gim Guan and I need and miss you. Please come home,” he said during a press conference yesterday with Gim Guan at his side clutching tightly to his mother’s photograph.

Beng Jin said Monthita, also known as Xiao Ling, was two months pregnant when she left for Thailand on May 10 to get her passport stamped.

He did not think anything was amiss as she used to make monthly trips to see her family in Chieng Rai, Thailand.

However, when Monthita failed to return home after a week, Beng Jin tried to trace her whereabouts and upon checking with the immigration authorities, found that she was back in Malaysia on May 20.

He lodged a missing person’s report on May 28.

Beng Jin believes his wife is still in the country, adding that her friend told him Monthita could be working in a lounge in Bukit Mertajam.

“Monthita called me at about 7am this morning, crying and telling me it was not time to return home.

“I tried to coax her to return but she kept quiet. I believe she is facing some problems or worse, she could have been influenced by some friends.”

Beng Jin said he was shocked to find Monthita leaving home as they did not quarrel.

“However, Monthita told me several times that she wanted to work outside,” he said.

Beng Jin and Monthita have been married for two years. Monthita was previously working as a kotai (street stage) singer but quit to be a full-time housewife after giving birth to Gim Guan.

Those with details of Monthita can contact the state Gerakan service bureau 04-2292724 which held the press conference to highlight the Yaps’ plight.