The Star online. News. Opinion. Thursday September 20, 2007
COMMENTBy LOONG MENG YEE
TWO little girls have gripped the nation’s attention. One is lying nameless, battered and dead in the mortuary.
The other, the nation has not seen in life. But pictures of her cute face, her sweet smile and clear round eyes are piercing, searing an image of innocence in our minds.
Also, there is the worry about her health. Nurin Jazlin Jazimin has high blood pressure and needs medication, otherwise she can get a stroke.
There has been no inkling of where eight-year-old Nurin is despite a massive nationwide search since she went missing on Aug 20.
The SRK Desa Setapak pupil never returned home after going to the night market near her house in Wangsa Maju.
What happened to her? And to the little one who died such a horrible death? What about the 16 other kids under the age of nine who seemed to have “vanished” between January and July this year?
Stories about missing children, especially those abducted, have always tugged at the heartstrings of Malaysians.
We grieve along with the parents. We agonise over the safety of the missing children; we cringe at the thought that they may be hurt in terrible ways, or of them being smuggled out and forced to beg in neighbouring countries.
How we demand that these animals be caught, and sent to jail forever. In fact, under the law, killers must hang. The nation is seething with anger over the way the nameless girl was so brutally killed.
Sadly, she is not the first.
Remember Ang May Hong, Nurul Huda Abdul Ghani or Harirawati Saridi? They were also sexually assaulted and murdered.
May Hong, nine, was raped and strangled just 70m from her home in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur in 1987.
Harirawati, 10, was raped and murdered in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 19, 2004.
Nine days later, Nurul Huda, also 10, was raped by a security guard in the toilet of the guardpost of Kampung Pekajang in Johor, just 400m away from her house.
Each time there is such an incident, we get angry and demand action.
Let the same anger fire our determination to find Nurin. She does not deserve any other fate except to be safe in her parents’ arms again.
Every time a child goes missing, the media automatically goes into top gear, churning out as much information as possible.
When this happens, many groups come forward to aid the police by organising searches, distributing leaflets and offering monetary reward for information.
True, the number of missing children who remained lost far outnumber the ones found.
However, all of us doggedly hang on to cases with happy endings to keep us going through the anxious wait.
We constantly tell ourselves Nurin will be found.
After all, Mohd Nazrin Shamsul Ghazali, Ahmad Firdaus Hakim Sharizal and Nur Karmila Mohd Shah Nawas Nantha were reunited with their families.
Their names may not register but the way they went missing and the search for them gripped the nation.
Mohd Nazrin, or Yin, was the five-year-old boy from Ipoh who wandered off from his parents while shopping at Sogo on March 31.
He was found two weeks later. A Myanmar family had sheltered him. The foreign couple later surrendered Yin because they claimed they finally saw his “gone missing” poster. Friends, strangers, taxi drivers, corporate bodies had all chipped in to find Yin.
Ahmad Firdaus was the famous missing case in 2004. Then a six-month-old infant, he was abducted from his babysitter’s house in Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur by an Indonesian woman in August.
Taxi driver Jaaman Tamby Chik had seen a picture of Ahmad and a photo fit of the abductor on television. To his horror, the wanted people were guests in his house.
He immediately contacted the child’s father, Sahrizal Mariwan. The baby was reunited with the family some 30 hours later.
As for 10-month-old Karmila, the maid took her from the house in Port Klang.
An elderly couple later handed Karmila to the police a few days later in 2005.
In all these cases, Malaysians rallied around the distraught families after acting on information from the media. Eventually, it had been the kind Malaysians that tipped off the police.
As Wanita MCA chairman Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen put it: “Malaysia, rise to the occasion, live up to our reputation as caring nation. It is our duty to keep our children safe.
“If you see a terrified child in the arms of suspicious adults, reach out to the child. Or, if you see a child left alone on the streets, please help. The parents will be forever grateful because we choose to care.”
This Hari Raya, let it be a happy one for the Jazimin family.
Please help find Nurin.
Showing posts with label missing children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label missing children. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 September 2007
2007 09: Children’s safety is parents’ prime responsibility
The Sun online. Speak Up! The Sun Says... Thu, 20 Sep 2007
The frequency of cases of children being sexually abused, especially after the body of a young girl was discovered in a bag in a Petaling Jaya shoplot on Monday, should be worrying, frightening and a cause of concern to everyone, particularly parents.
Evidently there are still beasts masquarading as men out there waiting to pounce on an unwary and unescorted child. There is no doubt that they are sick and have become beasts when they think nothing of sexually violating children whose safety and welfare are humanity’s responsibility.
But while we grieve for the poor unidentified child we cannot help but wonder why such depraved acts are still happening.
Of course the authorities can be criticised for allowing the system to foster such abominable creatures and the police for failing, however tough their crackdown, to spot and put them away.
But it is the parents who must bear the bulk of, if not all, the blame for their children being snatched away and abused. Images of mutilated and abused bodies of past victims found in guard houses, bushes and under bridges should remind them that the danger to their children is real.
Knowing the statistics and knowing that the beasts are out there waiting should be sufficient inducement for them to keep a watchful eye over their children and to monitor closely their whereabouts. There are no two ways about it.
The frequency of cases of children being sexually abused, especially after the body of a young girl was discovered in a bag in a Petaling Jaya shoplot on Monday, should be worrying, frightening and a cause of concern to everyone, particularly parents.
Evidently there are still beasts masquarading as men out there waiting to pounce on an unwary and unescorted child. There is no doubt that they are sick and have become beasts when they think nothing of sexually violating children whose safety and welfare are humanity’s responsibility.
But while we grieve for the poor unidentified child we cannot help but wonder why such depraved acts are still happening.
Of course the authorities can be criticised for allowing the system to foster such abominable creatures and the police for failing, however tough their crackdown, to spot and put them away.
But it is the parents who must bear the bulk of, if not all, the blame for their children being snatched away and abused. Images of mutilated and abused bodies of past victims found in guard houses, bushes and under bridges should remind them that the danger to their children is real.
Knowing the statistics and knowing that the beasts are out there waiting should be sufficient inducement for them to keep a watchful eye over their children and to monitor closely their whereabouts. There are no two ways about it.
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
2007 09: The lost child – a common sight in shopping malls
The Star online. News. Nation. Wednesday September 19, 2007
PETALING JAYA: Children regularly get separated from their parents at shopping malls – and often, it is the case of adults allowing their children to wander off on their own.
But the child is usually reunited with the parents thanks to measures put in place by the management who are familiar with dealing with missing children cases.
1 Utama public relations executive Joey Choong said children seen without a guardian would be taken to the customer service counter.
“If parents come to us and report a missing child, our security guards will be alerted and will start looking for the child.
“If there’s a need, we also have recordings from the CCTV cameras which we can play back,” she said.
In the case of Muhammad Nazrin Shamsul Ghazali or Yin, five, the cameras helped in determining that a child had wandered out of the complex.
He was seen walking out of the Sogo department store in March and was missing for several days.
As an added precaution, Sunway Pyramid officials will question parents who show up to claim the child.
“A lost child will usually run to his or her parents as soon as they’re in sight but if we don’t see that happening, then we would be extra careful before handing the child over,” he said.
A representative from Sungei Wang Plaza said an announcement would be made every five minutes until the child is reunited with the parents.
“These cases don’t happen very often. Maybe only about two to three cases a month. It is more likely to happen during the festive season and school holidays,” she said.
Mid Valley Megamall assistant public relations manager Catherine Lim said about five cases of lost children were reported every month in the shopping mall.
“They’re not so much ‘missing’ children. Usually, it’s just a case of being separated from the parents,” she said.
In Penang, Gurney Plaza communications manager Pauline Teh said their security guards were trained to look out for children wandering aimlessly around the complex.
“We have a standard operating procedure when dealing with lost children. Once a lost child has been found, we will either take him or her to the information counter or security department and page for the parents,” she said.
PETALING JAYA: Children regularly get separated from their parents at shopping malls – and often, it is the case of adults allowing their children to wander off on their own.
But the child is usually reunited with the parents thanks to measures put in place by the management who are familiar with dealing with missing children cases.
1 Utama public relations executive Joey Choong said children seen without a guardian would be taken to the customer service counter.
“If parents come to us and report a missing child, our security guards will be alerted and will start looking for the child.
“If there’s a need, we also have recordings from the CCTV cameras which we can play back,” she said.
In the case of Muhammad Nazrin Shamsul Ghazali or Yin, five, the cameras helped in determining that a child had wandered out of the complex.
He was seen walking out of the Sogo department store in March and was missing for several days.
As an added precaution, Sunway Pyramid officials will question parents who show up to claim the child.
“A lost child will usually run to his or her parents as soon as they’re in sight but if we don’t see that happening, then we would be extra careful before handing the child over,” he said.
A representative from Sungei Wang Plaza said an announcement would be made every five minutes until the child is reunited with the parents.
“These cases don’t happen very often. Maybe only about two to three cases a month. It is more likely to happen during the festive season and school holidays,” she said.
Mid Valley Megamall assistant public relations manager Catherine Lim said about five cases of lost children were reported every month in the shopping mall.
“They’re not so much ‘missing’ children. Usually, it’s just a case of being separated from the parents,” she said.
In Penang, Gurney Plaza communications manager Pauline Teh said their security guards were trained to look out for children wandering aimlessly around the complex.
“We have a standard operating procedure when dealing with lost children. Once a lost child has been found, we will either take him or her to the information counter or security department and page for the parents,” she said.
2007 09: Nurin Jazlin among 17 children still on police list of missing persons
The Star online. News. Nation. Wednesday September 19, 2007
PETALING JAYA: As the anguish continues for Nurin Jazlin’s parents Jazimin Abdul Jalil and Norazian Bistaman, there are at least 16 other parents out there anxiously awaiting news of their missing children.
Nurin is among the 17 children under the age of nine – 10 boys and seven girls – on the police’s list of missing persons.
These children seem to have “vanished” between January and July this year, and have yet to be found. Some left their homes, and like Nurin, never returned. Others were lured away by friends.
They are among the 34 cases (under nine years old) reported to the police until July. Sixteen of the cases involve boys and 18 others are girls. Police have so far found six boys and 11 girls.
“There were other reasons as well, such as the children running away because they were not interested in studying anymore and wanted freedom.
“Many also cited being scolded by their parents and they felt their parents did not understand them, or they felt their parents did not care for them,” said CID director Commissioner Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee.
“But the main reason for the missing children was family dispute. Ten cases involved one parent taking away the child without informing the other after the couple divorced,” he said.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said society must accept that times have changed.
“We must re-look the value of trust. Urbanisation and progress bring development but also complicate society. We have all kinds of strangers around us and our children.
“The onus is on us, as parents, not to allow our children go out by themselves, even if it is to the grocery store. It is unfortunate, but we must also teach our children not to help strangers because the young ones are too innocent to differentiate between a ruse and a genuine cry for help,” said Dr Ng.
The Deputy Finance Minister said as harsh as it sounded, parents must also teach their children not to be trusting of strangers, teachers and even relatives.
“It has been proven that children have been terribly hurt by those closest to them. The bad person is not confined to the stranger on the street,” said Dr Ng.
She urged society to be caring enough to look out for all children.
“If you happen to come across a child in need, or one looking terrified as she is being held tightly by an adult, do not turn a blind eye, ask the child if he needs your help,” said Dr Ng.
Child psychologist and Suhakam commissioner Dr Chiam Heng Keng said adults could not expect children to have the ability to fend for themselves, or differentiate a “good” person from a “bad” one.
“Children below 10 are not mature enough to think rationally. In many advanced countries, the law forbids these children to be left alone at home or venture out on their own,” she said.
PETALING JAYA: As the anguish continues for Nurin Jazlin’s parents Jazimin Abdul Jalil and Norazian Bistaman, there are at least 16 other parents out there anxiously awaiting news of their missing children.
Nurin is among the 17 children under the age of nine – 10 boys and seven girls – on the police’s list of missing persons.
These children seem to have “vanished” between January and July this year, and have yet to be found. Some left their homes, and like Nurin, never returned. Others were lured away by friends.
They are among the 34 cases (under nine years old) reported to the police until July. Sixteen of the cases involve boys and 18 others are girls. Police have so far found six boys and 11 girls.
“There were other reasons as well, such as the children running away because they were not interested in studying anymore and wanted freedom.
“Many also cited being scolded by their parents and they felt their parents did not understand them, or they felt their parents did not care for them,” said CID director Commissioner Datuk Christopher Wan Soo Kee.
“But the main reason for the missing children was family dispute. Ten cases involved one parent taking away the child without informing the other after the couple divorced,” he said.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen said society must accept that times have changed.
“We must re-look the value of trust. Urbanisation and progress bring development but also complicate society. We have all kinds of strangers around us and our children.
“The onus is on us, as parents, not to allow our children go out by themselves, even if it is to the grocery store. It is unfortunate, but we must also teach our children not to help strangers because the young ones are too innocent to differentiate between a ruse and a genuine cry for help,” said Dr Ng.
The Deputy Finance Minister said as harsh as it sounded, parents must also teach their children not to be trusting of strangers, teachers and even relatives.
“It has been proven that children have been terribly hurt by those closest to them. The bad person is not confined to the stranger on the street,” said Dr Ng.
She urged society to be caring enough to look out for all children.
“If you happen to come across a child in need, or one looking terrified as she is being held tightly by an adult, do not turn a blind eye, ask the child if he needs your help,” said Dr Ng.
Child psychologist and Suhakam commissioner Dr Chiam Heng Keng said adults could not expect children to have the ability to fend for themselves, or differentiate a “good” person from a “bad” one.
“Children below 10 are not mature enough to think rationally. In many advanced countries, the law forbids these children to be left alone at home or venture out on their own,” she said.
2007 09: Runaway girls return home
The Star online. News. Nation. Wednesday September 19, 2007
By AUDREY EDWARDS
KUALA LUMPUR: They had people searching for them for more than 48 hours while they roamed more than 50km using public transport.
Yesterday, the three teens, Norashila Jaafar, Rosbazla Mohd Basri and Nursyakila Azlan, reported missing over the weekend, were reunited with their parents.
The search ended yesterday morning when Norashila called her mother to tell her she was under a bridge near Pantai Dalam here, more than 50km from her Bukit Beruntung home in Taman Bunga Raya.
Her grandfather, Othman Mohd Ali then went to get her with some friends.
Their families had lodged police reports and also had search parties out scouring the neighbouring areas and in Puchong Perdana after they received a telephone call from a man saying that the girls were there.
Rosbazla and Nursyakila were at a 24-hour cybercafe in Pantai Dalam after Norashila led the police to the building.
“My father nagged me. So, I decided to run away from home and the other two followed me,” she said when met by reporters at the Pantai police station.
Her parents Jaafar Abdullah, a driver, and trader Zaimah Othman were there to meet her. The parents and family members of Rosbazla and Nursyakila also waited for their daughters.
On Saturday night, Norashila, a student at SK Taman Bunga Raya 1, had told her parents that she was going for terawih prayers with her younger sibling.
She had taken RM50 belonging to her mother and her father’s mobile phone.
The next day, they took a KTM Komuter train from Rawang to the MidValley shopping mall, then a bus to Puchong Perdana and returned to MidValley later in the day where they met a boy, who was a friend of Nursyakila.
They then went to the cybercafe in Pantai Dalam via the KTM Komuter and spent the rest of their time there.
“We ate bread all the time. And we ran if we saw someone trying to follow us,” said Norashila.
At the police station yesterday, Zaimah, 34, was heard repeatedly asking her why she had run away.
The girls’ fathers said they did not face any problem with their daughters.
Norashila’s grandmother, Zainon Amoo, said she kept advising Jaafar and Zaimah not to pamper the child, adding that Norashila was given pocket money and almost anything she asked for.
Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Sulaiman Junaidi cautioned parents to watch over their children at all times.
“They might think running away is an outlet to calm down. So, parents should do something.”
By AUDREY EDWARDS
KUALA LUMPUR: They had people searching for them for more than 48 hours while they roamed more than 50km using public transport.
Yesterday, the three teens, Norashila Jaafar, Rosbazla Mohd Basri and Nursyakila Azlan, reported missing over the weekend, were reunited with their parents.
The search ended yesterday morning when Norashila called her mother to tell her she was under a bridge near Pantai Dalam here, more than 50km from her Bukit Beruntung home in Taman Bunga Raya.
Her grandfather, Othman Mohd Ali then went to get her with some friends.
Their families had lodged police reports and also had search parties out scouring the neighbouring areas and in Puchong Perdana after they received a telephone call from a man saying that the girls were there.
Rosbazla and Nursyakila were at a 24-hour cybercafe in Pantai Dalam after Norashila led the police to the building.
“My father nagged me. So, I decided to run away from home and the other two followed me,” she said when met by reporters at the Pantai police station.
Her parents Jaafar Abdullah, a driver, and trader Zaimah Othman were there to meet her. The parents and family members of Rosbazla and Nursyakila also waited for their daughters.
On Saturday night, Norashila, a student at SK Taman Bunga Raya 1, had told her parents that she was going for terawih prayers with her younger sibling.
She had taken RM50 belonging to her mother and her father’s mobile phone.
The next day, they took a KTM Komuter train from Rawang to the MidValley shopping mall, then a bus to Puchong Perdana and returned to MidValley later in the day where they met a boy, who was a friend of Nursyakila.
They then went to the cybercafe in Pantai Dalam via the KTM Komuter and spent the rest of their time there.
“We ate bread all the time. And we ran if we saw someone trying to follow us,” said Norashila.
At the police station yesterday, Zaimah, 34, was heard repeatedly asking her why she had run away.
The girls’ fathers said they did not face any problem with their daughters.
Norashila’s grandmother, Zainon Amoo, said she kept advising Jaafar and Zaimah not to pamper the child, adding that Norashila was given pocket money and almost anything she asked for.
Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Sulaiman Junaidi cautioned parents to watch over their children at all times.
“They might think running away is an outlet to calm down. So, parents should do something.”
2007 09: Mum remembers missing eight-year-old daughter’s wish
The Star online. News. Nation. Thursday September 13, 2007
NURIN Jazlin Jazimin, who went missing Aug 22, wanted a strawberry cake for her eighth birthday which fell on Tuesday, Utusan Malaysia reported.
She made the request to her mother Norazian Bistaman, 35, a few months ago.
“The request is still buzzing in my ears,” Norazian said at her home in Wangsa Maju.
Unlike previous years when the house was filled with joy on her birthday, this time it was filled with emptiness.
When reporters from the daily visited the family on Tuesday, they found Norazian resting with six-year-old daughter Nurin Jazina, while her husband Jazimin Abdul Jalil had taken their other child out.
Nurin Jazlin, a Year Two pupil of SK Desa Setapak, failed to return home after going to the pasar malam alone at 8.30pm on Aug 22.
NURIN Jazlin Jazimin, who went missing Aug 22, wanted a strawberry cake for her eighth birthday which fell on Tuesday, Utusan Malaysia reported.
She made the request to her mother Norazian Bistaman, 35, a few months ago.
“The request is still buzzing in my ears,” Norazian said at her home in Wangsa Maju.
Unlike previous years when the house was filled with joy on her birthday, this time it was filled with emptiness.
When reporters from the daily visited the family on Tuesday, they found Norazian resting with six-year-old daughter Nurin Jazina, while her husband Jazimin Abdul Jalil had taken their other child out.
Nurin Jazlin, a Year Two pupil of SK Desa Setapak, failed to return home after going to the pasar malam alone at 8.30pm on Aug 22.
Friday, 31 August 2007
2007 08: Friendly girl missing for past week
The Star Online. News. Nation. Monday August 27, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: Eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin’s friendly character could be a reason why she has been missing from home for the past week.
Her father Jazimin Abd Jalil, 33, said she could have followed someone whom she recognised.
“Whoever it was, please bring my daughter back. My wife and I cannot take this torture anymore,” Jazimin said at his home in Wangsa Maju here yesterday.
Nurin, a Year Two pupil of SK Desa Setapak, did not return home after going to the night market near the flats at 8.30pm last Monday. She was wearing a pink dress.
Jazimin said Nurin suffered from a kidney problem and high blood pressure and needed her daily medication.
“Otherwise her body will bloat up,” the taxi driver said.
Her mother Norazian Bistaman, 35, allowed Nurin, the second of four daughters, to go alone as the night market is near their home.
Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman urged those with information to contact the family at 019-366 7067 or 013- 248 6651 or the UMNO youth public complaints bureau at 019-325 5886 or 03- 40441199.
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Girl seen being pulled into van
The Star Online. News. Nation. Thursday August 30, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: Eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, who has been missing since Aug 22, was seen being pulled into a van near a pasar malam in Wangsa Maju where she had gone.
Sources said that a neighbour’s daughter had seen a man, believed to be in his early 20s, standing outside a van and later pulling Nurin into the vehicle.
Nurin is said to have resisted and overheard saying tak nak, tak nak (no, no).
Sentul OCPD Asst Comm K. Kumaran confirmed that police had received such information.
“We are now investigating,'' he said, adding that police had several leads to work on.
Police have classified the case under Section 363 of the Penal Code for kidnapping from lawful guardianship.
Nurin, a Year Two pupil of SK Desa Setapak, failed to return home after going to the pasar malam alone at 8.30pm that day.
The girl, the second among four children, usually visited the area with her elder sister, aged nine.
Her mother Norazian Bistaman, 35, allowed her to go on her own to the pasar malam as it was close to their flat.
KUALA LUMPUR: Eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin’s friendly character could be a reason why she has been missing from home for the past week.
Her father Jazimin Abd Jalil, 33, said she could have followed someone whom she recognised.
“Whoever it was, please bring my daughter back. My wife and I cannot take this torture anymore,” Jazimin said at his home in Wangsa Maju here yesterday.
Nurin, a Year Two pupil of SK Desa Setapak, did not return home after going to the night market near the flats at 8.30pm last Monday. She was wearing a pink dress.
Jazimin said Nurin suffered from a kidney problem and high blood pressure and needed her daily medication.
“Otherwise her body will bloat up,” the taxi driver said.
Her mother Norazian Bistaman, 35, allowed Nurin, the second of four daughters, to go alone as the night market is near their home.
Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman urged those with information to contact the family at 019-366 7067 or 013- 248 6651 or the UMNO youth public complaints bureau at 019-325 5886 or 03- 40441199.
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Girl seen being pulled into van
The Star Online. News. Nation. Thursday August 30, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: Eight-year-old Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, who has been missing since Aug 22, was seen being pulled into a van near a pasar malam in Wangsa Maju where she had gone.
Sources said that a neighbour’s daughter had seen a man, believed to be in his early 20s, standing outside a van and later pulling Nurin into the vehicle.
Nurin is said to have resisted and overheard saying tak nak, tak nak (no, no).
Sentul OCPD Asst Comm K. Kumaran confirmed that police had received such information.
“We are now investigating,'' he said, adding that police had several leads to work on.
Police have classified the case under Section 363 of the Penal Code for kidnapping from lawful guardianship.
Nurin, a Year Two pupil of SK Desa Setapak, failed to return home after going to the pasar malam alone at 8.30pm that day.
The girl, the second among four children, usually visited the area with her elder sister, aged nine.
Her mother Norazian Bistaman, 35, allowed her to go on her own to the pasar malam as it was close to their flat.
Monday, 30 July 2007
2007 07: Cop: Children under pressure to run away
The Star Online. News. Nation. Wednesday July 25, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: About a quarter of all children who left home did so due to peer pressure.
Criminal Investigation Department Deputy Director II Deputy Comm Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said that between January 2004 and May 2007, 6,270 children, below 18 years of age, were reported missing.
The police have reunited 4,237 of them with their respective families but 2,033 other children remain missing nationwide.
DCP Acryl Sani cited several reasons for the children running away from home. They are:
PEER pressure;
YEARNING for freedom;
ELOPING with their boyfriend/girlfriend; and,
LOOKING for job opportunities in urban areas.
He suggested that parents communicate with their children always to overcome any misunderstanding.
“In my personal opinion, between eight and 10 cases of missing children are linked to peer pressure.
“So parents, please talk to your children and understand them,” DCP Acryl Sani told reporters yesterday after launching the RHB Missing Children – Reuniting Families campaign at a hotel here.
He said that Kedah, Johor and Selangor recorded the highest number of cases.
He added that the 578 reported cases of missing children between January and May this year marked a drop from 762 in the corresponding period last year.
Meanwhile, a teenage girl who was last seen taking a taxi in front of her school in Sri Petaling on June 11 has been reported missing.
Tien Yee Wah, 16, was spotted boarding the taxi at about 7am by her schoolmate.
The missing girl’s father, mechanic Tien Yem Ngok, 55, said that he had last spoken to his daughter on July 12 when she called the schoolmate outside the school. – Bernama
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Last resort
The Star Online. Youth2. Wednesday August 22, 2007
Breakdown in family relations is one of the main reasons teenagers escape from home
CLARA’S decision to leave home was sudden, but it had been coming for a long time. The beating she received from her stepmother the night before she ran away was the final straw, but it was the image of her mother standing by and watch ing silently that steeled her resolve.
Her mother and stepmother are siblings married to Clara’s alcoholic father. The 17- year-old girl had endured physical and men tal torture for as long as she remembered.
My stepmother often accuses me of being immoral and my mother usually takes her side. My mother would rather listen to her sister than to her own daughters,” says Clara, who once had to strip naked and allow her stepmother to examine her private parts to prove that she had not slept with the boy she was seen talking to.
“I have been enduring the pain for too long. I needed to escape from my abusive sur rounding and that’s why I left,” she explains.
Clara is but one of the 6,270 teenagers reported missing from their homes since 2004 in Malaysia. Last year, 3,246 girls were reported missing.
Most would eventually be found and reunited with their families. Criminal Investigation Department deputy director Deputy Comm Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani reported that between January 2004 and May this year, 67.5% (4,237) of the missing teenagers were found.
“Teens run away because they can’t get the freedom or the understanding they seek from their family. Running away becomes their solution because they don’t know how to deal with the problems anymore,” says MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong.
When a parent reports that a child is miss ing, Chong’s department would check with agencies such as the police and the immigra tion department before seeking the public’s help through the media.
Chong says that media attention is always the last resort because it’s a double-edged sword – over 80% of the cases highlighted in the media are successfully solved, but reper cussions such as violation of the family’s rep utation and privacy are also unavoidable.
“There are actually very few cases where runaway or missing teens are cheated by pimps, which were common 15 years ago. Most cases nowadays stem from feuds or misunderstandings between the child and their parents,” adds Chong.
Through an in-house survey, James Nayagam, executive director of Shelter home for children, found that most girls who leave their home have a troubled relationship with their parents, if not boy problems. “It takes a lot for a girl to decide to run,” he says, “and when she does, it’s often because she doesn’t see another way out.”
There are two contributing factors to this problem, he adds – either the girl runs away because of peer influence or she just wants to teach her parents a lesson.
The study also showed that the most vul nerable age group among the runaway teens is from 16 to 18 and most of the kids under this category suffer from a condition Nayagam refers to as ‘attachment disorder’. “This usually happens when the kids find themselves not emotionally attached to any one at home, thus making it easier for them to just leave everything behind.”
According to Nayagam, children who are attached to their parents rarely make the decision to run away from home because they feel everything that children are sup posed to feel – happy and belonged.
“When I spoke to the girls who came for help, I realised that most of them wouldn’t have run away if only they had someone to talk them out of it,” says Nayagam. But when they do come to him, Nayagam ensures that they get all the help that they need. No prodding questions are asked when a girl steps into the Shelter vicinity. ”If a troubled girl wants help and shelter, then that’s what she gets from us,” says James.
Runaway Clara turned to her best friend’s family for help when she left home, and it was her friend’s mother who took her to Nayagam’s Shelter.
She had since settled in at the Shelter, and has no intentions of returning to her family. “I am happy here and am looking forward to go to a new school. If that’s impossible, I’ll just study at this shelter and sit for the SPM examination later this year,” says Clara, a bright student who has even represented her previous school for marathons in district levels.
The girls are allowed to stay at the Shelter until they turn 18, but there are also some who attempt to reunite with their families. “Most cases are resolved when the teen returns to his/her family and discuss their problems openly with each other. But we’ve also encountered some situations where the runaways would come to us and tell us their intention to leave their homes and request us not to expose the matter to the media if their families seek our help,” says Chong. James spoke of a case in which he brought a girl back home to her worried parents. “The first thing that the father asked the girl was ‘Why?’ a question which I think builds up a wall around a person faster than any other question could,” says James. The girl then replied that although she had everything in the big, beautiful house ... it was missing love.
That, James says, is what every girl wants from her home. Chong agrees. “Parents need to spend more quality time with their children and really listen to their needs. They must also set good examples of themselves – you can’t expect a child to respect or be obedient when the parents are full of vices,” says Chong.
KUALA LUMPUR: About a quarter of all children who left home did so due to peer pressure.
Criminal Investigation Department Deputy Director II Deputy Comm Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said that between January 2004 and May 2007, 6,270 children, below 18 years of age, were reported missing.
The police have reunited 4,237 of them with their respective families but 2,033 other children remain missing nationwide.
DCP Acryl Sani cited several reasons for the children running away from home. They are:
PEER pressure;
YEARNING for freedom;
ELOPING with their boyfriend/girlfriend; and,
LOOKING for job opportunities in urban areas.
He suggested that parents communicate with their children always to overcome any misunderstanding.
“In my personal opinion, between eight and 10 cases of missing children are linked to peer pressure.
“So parents, please talk to your children and understand them,” DCP Acryl Sani told reporters yesterday after launching the RHB Missing Children – Reuniting Families campaign at a hotel here.
He said that Kedah, Johor and Selangor recorded the highest number of cases.
He added that the 578 reported cases of missing children between January and May this year marked a drop from 762 in the corresponding period last year.
Meanwhile, a teenage girl who was last seen taking a taxi in front of her school in Sri Petaling on June 11 has been reported missing.
Tien Yee Wah, 16, was spotted boarding the taxi at about 7am by her schoolmate.
The missing girl’s father, mechanic Tien Yem Ngok, 55, said that he had last spoken to his daughter on July 12 when she called the schoolmate outside the school. – Bernama
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Last resort
The Star Online. Youth2. Wednesday August 22, 2007
Breakdown in family relations is one of the main reasons teenagers escape from home
CLARA’S decision to leave home was sudden, but it had been coming for a long time. The beating she received from her stepmother the night before she ran away was the final straw, but it was the image of her mother standing by and watch ing silently that steeled her resolve.
Her mother and stepmother are siblings married to Clara’s alcoholic father. The 17- year-old girl had endured physical and men tal torture for as long as she remembered.
My stepmother often accuses me of being immoral and my mother usually takes her side. My mother would rather listen to her sister than to her own daughters,” says Clara, who once had to strip naked and allow her stepmother to examine her private parts to prove that she had not slept with the boy she was seen talking to.
“I have been enduring the pain for too long. I needed to escape from my abusive sur rounding and that’s why I left,” she explains.
Clara is but one of the 6,270 teenagers reported missing from their homes since 2004 in Malaysia. Last year, 3,246 girls were reported missing.
Most would eventually be found and reunited with their families. Criminal Investigation Department deputy director Deputy Comm Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani reported that between January 2004 and May this year, 67.5% (4,237) of the missing teenagers were found.
“Teens run away because they can’t get the freedom or the understanding they seek from their family. Running away becomes their solution because they don’t know how to deal with the problems anymore,” says MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Michael Chong.
When a parent reports that a child is miss ing, Chong’s department would check with agencies such as the police and the immigra tion department before seeking the public’s help through the media.
Chong says that media attention is always the last resort because it’s a double-edged sword – over 80% of the cases highlighted in the media are successfully solved, but reper cussions such as violation of the family’s rep utation and privacy are also unavoidable.
“There are actually very few cases where runaway or missing teens are cheated by pimps, which were common 15 years ago. Most cases nowadays stem from feuds or misunderstandings between the child and their parents,” adds Chong.
Through an in-house survey, James Nayagam, executive director of Shelter home for children, found that most girls who leave their home have a troubled relationship with their parents, if not boy problems. “It takes a lot for a girl to decide to run,” he says, “and when she does, it’s often because she doesn’t see another way out.”
There are two contributing factors to this problem, he adds – either the girl runs away because of peer influence or she just wants to teach her parents a lesson.
The study also showed that the most vul nerable age group among the runaway teens is from 16 to 18 and most of the kids under this category suffer from a condition Nayagam refers to as ‘attachment disorder’. “This usually happens when the kids find themselves not emotionally attached to any one at home, thus making it easier for them to just leave everything behind.”
According to Nayagam, children who are attached to their parents rarely make the decision to run away from home because they feel everything that children are sup posed to feel – happy and belonged.
“When I spoke to the girls who came for help, I realised that most of them wouldn’t have run away if only they had someone to talk them out of it,” says Nayagam. But when they do come to him, Nayagam ensures that they get all the help that they need. No prodding questions are asked when a girl steps into the Shelter vicinity. ”If a troubled girl wants help and shelter, then that’s what she gets from us,” says James.
Runaway Clara turned to her best friend’s family for help when she left home, and it was her friend’s mother who took her to Nayagam’s Shelter.
She had since settled in at the Shelter, and has no intentions of returning to her family. “I am happy here and am looking forward to go to a new school. If that’s impossible, I’ll just study at this shelter and sit for the SPM examination later this year,” says Clara, a bright student who has even represented her previous school for marathons in district levels.
The girls are allowed to stay at the Shelter until they turn 18, but there are also some who attempt to reunite with their families. “Most cases are resolved when the teen returns to his/her family and discuss their problems openly with each other. But we’ve also encountered some situations where the runaways would come to us and tell us their intention to leave their homes and request us not to expose the matter to the media if their families seek our help,” says Chong. James spoke of a case in which he brought a girl back home to her worried parents. “The first thing that the father asked the girl was ‘Why?’ a question which I think builds up a wall around a person faster than any other question could,” says James. The girl then replied that although she had everything in the big, beautiful house ... it was missing love.
That, James says, is what every girl wants from her home. Chong agrees. “Parents need to spend more quality time with their children and really listen to their needs. They must also set good examples of themselves – you can’t expect a child to respect or be obedient when the parents are full of vices,” says Chong.
Friday, 20 July 2007
2007 07: Unhappiness at home leads to bad behaviour
The Star Online. Opinion. Sunday July 15, 2007
CHILDREN behave badly or go missing for many reasons, but unhappiness at home, real or imagined, is a common factor. Since 2004 up to May this year, 1,900 children had been reported missing, most of them girls, disclosed Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum.
Parents blame the teachers, who in turn bristle at the injustice of parents dumping the entire weight of responsibility on them. Ideally parents and teachers should work in tandem. But the reality is that a teacher faces 50 hyperactive children each day, a clutch of whom are actively disruptive to lessons.
On and off the school grounds, teenage temptations beckon like tall-grass at their feet — smoking, sex, drugs, easy money and junior-league gangsterism.
Some do trip and fall, and those who commit and are convicted of lesser offences would be placed in designated approved schools.
For more serious crimes, boys aged between 14 and 21 would be sent to the Henry Gurney reform schools, which gives them a second chance, a skill and often, sadly, a stigma.
The assumption that adults know best now no longer holds true. Today's young people show far more knowledge than their years, although “In terms of dependence on their parents, however, compared to developed countries, we are three to four years behind,” said Dr Mohamed Fadzil.
Nevertheless, they would like to be consulted on their preferences as punishment: conventional youth correctional facilities, innovative community service as well as the much-maligned caning. Plus any other out-of-the-box solutions for “bad behaviour”.
In the end, laws must reflect the values of the environment of the day, said Dr Mohamed Fadzil. Otherwise the laws would become straightjackets, caging the youths in adult expectations.
CHILDREN behave badly or go missing for many reasons, but unhappiness at home, real or imagined, is a common factor. Since 2004 up to May this year, 1,900 children had been reported missing, most of them girls, disclosed Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum.
Parents blame the teachers, who in turn bristle at the injustice of parents dumping the entire weight of responsibility on them. Ideally parents and teachers should work in tandem. But the reality is that a teacher faces 50 hyperactive children each day, a clutch of whom are actively disruptive to lessons.
On and off the school grounds, teenage temptations beckon like tall-grass at their feet — smoking, sex, drugs, easy money and junior-league gangsterism.
Some do trip and fall, and those who commit and are convicted of lesser offences would be placed in designated approved schools.
For more serious crimes, boys aged between 14 and 21 would be sent to the Henry Gurney reform schools, which gives them a second chance, a skill and often, sadly, a stigma.
The assumption that adults know best now no longer holds true. Today's young people show far more knowledge than their years, although “In terms of dependence on their parents, however, compared to developed countries, we are three to four years behind,” said Dr Mohamed Fadzil.
Nevertheless, they would like to be consulted on their preferences as punishment: conventional youth correctional facilities, innovative community service as well as the much-maligned caning. Plus any other out-of-the-box solutions for “bad behaviour”.
In the end, laws must reflect the values of the environment of the day, said Dr Mohamed Fadzil. Otherwise the laws would become straightjackets, caging the youths in adult expectations.
Monday, 16 July 2007
2007 07: Cops seek mum’s help in investigation
The Star online. News. Nation. Tuesday July 10, 2007
PENANG: Police have remanded the mother of Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying to help in the investigation into the death of the three-year-old girl whose charred remains were scattered in three different locations.
Jess Teh, 28, and her boyfriend, Ong Chee Leong, 29, were produced before the Balik Pulau magistrate’s court yesterday morning.
From early morning, a large crowd had gathered outside the courthouse to catch a glimpse of those who had been arrested in connection with the case.
Last Friday, Teh, a sales executive, lodged a police report saying that Ying Ying had gone missing after she left the child outside her car when she went to pay for her parking ticket near the Bayan Baru market hawker centre.
The next day, Teh gave a press conference to say how Ying Ying went missing and asked for help from the public to find her.
Teh and Ong were arrested on Sunday at about 1pm when they turned up at the Bayan Lepas police station to give a statement.
Ong then led police to recover a piece of bone at a cemetery in Paya Terubong and a pair of pyjamas in his car that was parked at the couple's apartment at Bandar Baru Air Itam.
Sources said police were investigating Teh’s claim that Ying Ying had drowned in a plastic bathtub, which has since been recovered from the couple’s apartment.
The sources added that only Ong was at the apartment when Ying Ying died on Thursday.
Teh had found Ying Ying dead when she returned home from work.
They said both waited for nightfall before carrying the little girl’s body out of the premises.
They added that police were now looking for an oil drum in which Ying Ying’s body was believed to have been placed before it was doused with petrol and burned.
Yesterday, Ong led police to three rivers in Air Itam and Paya Terubong where Ying Ying’s remains were said to have been dumped.
A police team searched the three places.
At a press conference, Balik Pulau OCPD Supt Mohd Hatta Mohd Zain said the couple had been remanded until July 18 and that police had classified the case as murder.
“We consider the case solved with their arrest. Our checks showed that Ong was arrested a few years ago in connection with a fight,” he said.
It is understood that Teh met Ong, a former karaoke lounge manager who is currently jobless, about a year ago and they moved in together about three months ago.
Teh is in the midst of getting a divorce from her businessman husband Ooi Eng Chew.
Ong is separated from his wife and has two children.
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Ex-karaoke lounge manager charged with Ying Ying's murder
The Star online. News. Nation. Friday July 20, 2007
PENANG: Former karaoke lounge manager Ong Chee Leong, 28, was charged with the murder of Shearwel Ooi Ying Ying.
The crime was allaged to have been committed at the Sri Impian Apartment, Lengkok Angsana, Bandar Baru Air Itam between 7.30am and 6.30pm on July 5, 2007.
Ong was also jointly charged with Ying Ying’s mother, Jess Teh Hooi Wen, 28, with possessing 1.5gm of cannabis at another apartment in Solok Angsana, Farlim, Air Itam.
Both were allowed bail of RM4,000 for the drug charge.
Both cases would be mentioned at a Magistrate’s Court on Sept 14 pending a chemist report and a post mortem report.
PENANG: Police have remanded the mother of Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying to help in the investigation into the death of the three-year-old girl whose charred remains were scattered in three different locations.
Jess Teh, 28, and her boyfriend, Ong Chee Leong, 29, were produced before the Balik Pulau magistrate’s court yesterday morning.
From early morning, a large crowd had gathered outside the courthouse to catch a glimpse of those who had been arrested in connection with the case.
Last Friday, Teh, a sales executive, lodged a police report saying that Ying Ying had gone missing after she left the child outside her car when she went to pay for her parking ticket near the Bayan Baru market hawker centre.
The next day, Teh gave a press conference to say how Ying Ying went missing and asked for help from the public to find her.
Teh and Ong were arrested on Sunday at about 1pm when they turned up at the Bayan Lepas police station to give a statement.
Ong then led police to recover a piece of bone at a cemetery in Paya Terubong and a pair of pyjamas in his car that was parked at the couple's apartment at Bandar Baru Air Itam.
Sources said police were investigating Teh’s claim that Ying Ying had drowned in a plastic bathtub, which has since been recovered from the couple’s apartment.
The sources added that only Ong was at the apartment when Ying Ying died on Thursday.
Teh had found Ying Ying dead when she returned home from work.
They said both waited for nightfall before carrying the little girl’s body out of the premises.
They added that police were now looking for an oil drum in which Ying Ying’s body was believed to have been placed before it was doused with petrol and burned.
Yesterday, Ong led police to three rivers in Air Itam and Paya Terubong where Ying Ying’s remains were said to have been dumped.
A police team searched the three places.
At a press conference, Balik Pulau OCPD Supt Mohd Hatta Mohd Zain said the couple had been remanded until July 18 and that police had classified the case as murder.
“We consider the case solved with their arrest. Our checks showed that Ong was arrested a few years ago in connection with a fight,” he said.
It is understood that Teh met Ong, a former karaoke lounge manager who is currently jobless, about a year ago and they moved in together about three months ago.
Teh is in the midst of getting a divorce from her businessman husband Ooi Eng Chew.
Ong is separated from his wife and has two children.
...................................................................
Ex-karaoke lounge manager charged with Ying Ying's murder
The Star online. News. Nation. Friday July 20, 2007
PENANG: Former karaoke lounge manager Ong Chee Leong, 28, was charged with the murder of Shearwel Ooi Ying Ying.
The crime was allaged to have been committed at the Sri Impian Apartment, Lengkok Angsana, Bandar Baru Air Itam between 7.30am and 6.30pm on July 5, 2007.
Ong was also jointly charged with Ying Ying’s mother, Jess Teh Hooi Wen, 28, with possessing 1.5gm of cannabis at another apartment in Solok Angsana, Farlim, Air Itam.
Both were allowed bail of RM4,000 for the drug charge.
Both cases would be mentioned at a Magistrate’s Court on Sept 14 pending a chemist report and a post mortem report.
2007 07: Three-year-old boy is missing
The Star online. News. Nation. Tuesday July 10, 2007
PENANG: Police are looking for a three-year-old boy who is believed to have been abducted by a teenage girl at a steamboat restaurant in Kelawei Road here.
Restaurant owner David Chua, 64, said he last saw his son, How Xian, playing with two boys, aged seven and 11, who were brought here by the teenager, at about 8.20pm yesterday.
He said his wife, Liew Siew Chooi, 36, had chatted with the girl earlier.
“We were quite busy as the restaurant was full at the time and did not realise that he was missing until 10 minutes later,” he said when met at the scene last night.
Chua said when he and Liew started to ask other customers whether they had seen his only son, one of them told him that he saw him walking away with the teenager.
“Several of my workers and I immediately searched the Gurney Drive promenade and the Gurney Drive area. We gave up after about two hours and made a report at the Pulau Tikus police station.
“My wife actually heard the teenager asking my son to put on his shoes but did not think much about it. She only realised what she had heard after How Xian went missing.”
He said the teenager, who had short curly hair with blonde streaks, had actually been to his restaurant at least twice over the past year.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid, who confirmed the report, urged the public to call the police hotline (04-2282222) if they happened to hear any child crying non-stop.
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Missing boy found, teen arrested
The Star online. News. Nation. Tuesday July 10, 2007
PENANG: Three-year-old How Xian, who was reported missing Monday night, has been found.
Police have arrested an 18-year-old woman.
How Xian was believed to have been abducted at a steamboat restaurant in Kelawei Road here.
Restaurant owner David Chua, 64, said he last saw his son playing with two boys, aged seven and 11, who were brought here by the woman, at about 8.20pm on Monday.
He said his wife, Liew Siew Chooi, 36, had chatted with the woman earlier.
“We were quite busy as the restaurant was full at the time and did not realise that he was missing until 10 minutes later,” he said when met at the scene last night.
Chua said when he and Liew started to ask other customers whether they had seen his only son, one of them told him that he saw him walking away with the woman.
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Released: Teen behind missing 3yr-old boy
The Star Online. News. Nation. Friday July 13, 2007
PENANG: The pregnant 18-year-old who was detained in connection with the wrongful restraint of three-year-old Chua How Xian has been released on police bail.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said the teenager, who was remanded for a week since her arrest on Monday, was released on Thursday.
ACP Azam said the teenager could be called up anytime as police were still investigating the case before handing the papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) soon.
He said once the papers have been handed over, it would be up to the DPP on whether to take further action against the teenager.
On Monday, How Xian was playing with two other boys, aged seven and 11, at his father’s steamboat restaurant in Kelawei Road when he went missing at 8.20pm.
PENANG: Police are looking for a three-year-old boy who is believed to have been abducted by a teenage girl at a steamboat restaurant in Kelawei Road here.
Restaurant owner David Chua, 64, said he last saw his son, How Xian, playing with two boys, aged seven and 11, who were brought here by the teenager, at about 8.20pm yesterday.
He said his wife, Liew Siew Chooi, 36, had chatted with the girl earlier.
“We were quite busy as the restaurant was full at the time and did not realise that he was missing until 10 minutes later,” he said when met at the scene last night.
Chua said when he and Liew started to ask other customers whether they had seen his only son, one of them told him that he saw him walking away with the teenager.
“Several of my workers and I immediately searched the Gurney Drive promenade and the Gurney Drive area. We gave up after about two hours and made a report at the Pulau Tikus police station.
“My wife actually heard the teenager asking my son to put on his shoes but did not think much about it. She only realised what she had heard after How Xian went missing.”
He said the teenager, who had short curly hair with blonde streaks, had actually been to his restaurant at least twice over the past year.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid, who confirmed the report, urged the public to call the police hotline (04-2282222) if they happened to hear any child crying non-stop.
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Missing boy found, teen arrested
The Star online. News. Nation. Tuesday July 10, 2007
PENANG: Three-year-old How Xian, who was reported missing Monday night, has been found.
Police have arrested an 18-year-old woman.
How Xian was believed to have been abducted at a steamboat restaurant in Kelawei Road here.
Restaurant owner David Chua, 64, said he last saw his son playing with two boys, aged seven and 11, who were brought here by the woman, at about 8.20pm on Monday.
He said his wife, Liew Siew Chooi, 36, had chatted with the woman earlier.
“We were quite busy as the restaurant was full at the time and did not realise that he was missing until 10 minutes later,” he said when met at the scene last night.
Chua said when he and Liew started to ask other customers whether they had seen his only son, one of them told him that he saw him walking away with the woman.
...............................................................................
Released: Teen behind missing 3yr-old boy
The Star Online. News. Nation. Friday July 13, 2007
PENANG: The pregnant 18-year-old who was detained in connection with the wrongful restraint of three-year-old Chua How Xian has been released on police bail.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said the teenager, who was remanded for a week since her arrest on Monday, was released on Thursday.
ACP Azam said the teenager could be called up anytime as police were still investigating the case before handing the papers to the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) soon.
He said once the papers have been handed over, it would be up to the DPP on whether to take further action against the teenager.
On Monday, How Xian was playing with two other boys, aged seven and 11, at his father’s steamboat restaurant in Kelawei Road when he went missing at 8.20pm.
Monday, 9 July 2007
2007 07: Girl missing after mum leaves car for 10 minutes
The Star online. News. Nation. Saturday July 7, 2007
PENANG: A distressed mother is pining for her little daughter who went missing yesterday when she walked away from her car to pay her parking ticket near the Bayan Baru market hawker centre.
The salesgirl, Jess Teh, 28 said she left her three-year-and-nine-month-old daughter, Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying, in her car and went about 100m away to pay the parking attendant.
“It was less than 10 minutes for me to walk over, make my payment, and come back to the car to discover Shearwey missing,” she said.
The incident happened about 8.15am after the mother and daughter finished their breakfast at the hawker centre.
Teh said she went to look around frantically for her only child for more than three hours and contacted her family members and friends for help.
She added that her daughter was wearing her cartoon-printed pyjamas and urged the public to help to look out for her.
Shearwey’s uncle, Ooi Eng Hiap, 25, who helped in the search, said they had checked the market and the surrounding areas.
“My brother, Eng Chew (Shearwey’s father), who is now in China for a business trip has been informed and will be returning home as soon as possible,” he said.
The family later lodged a police report at the Bayan Lepas police station.
The investigation officer said they would be helping to search for the missing girl. Those who have information on the girl can contact the police station at 04-643 0311 or Ooi at 017-498 8403.
.......................................
Girl killed
The Star online. News. Nation. Monday July 9, 2007
PENANG: Four-year-old Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying is dead, three days after she was reported missing.
She is believed to have been murdered and her bone fragments strewn in at least four different places – a cemetery, river and an apartment dumpsite in Paya Terubong and another river in Jalan Air Itam.
Penang CPO Deputy Commissioner Datuk Koh Hong Sun said a woman and her boyfriend were arrested at the Bayan Lepas police station at 1pm yesterday in connection with the little girl's death.
The murder allegedly took place in the couple’s rented apartment in Bandar Baru Air Itam on Friday, the day the girl was reported missing by her mother Jess Teh.
It is learnt the man could have killed the girl while the woman, a close relative, was at work. He then brought the body to a nearby cemetery where he burnt the body using kerosene.
After being arrested, the suspect brought a police team, led by forensic pathologist Datuk Dr Bhupinder Singh to the cemetery at 7pm where they found a bone fragment near a tombstone. The girl’s burnt pyjamas were recovered from a nearby river, wrapped in a black plastic bag.
The search later continued at an apartment in Lintang Paya Terubong before proceeding to another river at Jalan Air Itam. The two were then brought back to their rented apartment as police searched for more leads.
Teh, 28, who is in the midst of a divorce, had told a press conference on Saturday that she left Ying Ying outside her car near the Bayan Baru market when she went to pay for her parking ticket and found the girl missing when she returned.
She had appealed to the Penang MCA and the public to help find the girl, leading to a state-wide search involving over 1,000 party members. Thousands of posters of Ying Ying were printed and distributed as well as put up in public places in the hope of finding the girl alive.
At around noon yesterday, Teh and her mother Ong Sea Wah joined a group of MCA members to distribute posters of Ying Ying at the market.
Ying Ying's uncle Ooi Eng Hiap, 25, was shocked to learn of his niece's death last night.
“She did not have to die this way,” he said, adding that he had yet to relay the tragic news to his brother, Eng Chew (Ying Ying's father).
Eng Chew had planned to return from Yunnan, China today.
At Ying Ying's grandparents' home in Bandar Baru Air Itam, loud wails and sobs could be heard several doors away.
“Why take the life of an innocent child? I took care of her until she was so big and they killed her just like that,” the grandmother was heard saying in between sobs. The family refused to speak to the press.
State MCA Wanita chief Ooi Siew Kim said: “Ying Ying was an innocent child and we are very sad that things have turned out this way.”
Bayan Baru MP Datuk Wong Kam Hoong, who had offered a RM10,000 reward to locate the girl, described the news as “shocking”.
“We never expected such a tragic end. We had hoped to reunite the family,” he said.
PENANG: A distressed mother is pining for her little daughter who went missing yesterday when she walked away from her car to pay her parking ticket near the Bayan Baru market hawker centre.
The salesgirl, Jess Teh, 28 said she left her three-year-and-nine-month-old daughter, Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying, in her car and went about 100m away to pay the parking attendant.
“It was less than 10 minutes for me to walk over, make my payment, and come back to the car to discover Shearwey missing,” she said.
The incident happened about 8.15am after the mother and daughter finished their breakfast at the hawker centre.
Teh said she went to look around frantically for her only child for more than three hours and contacted her family members and friends for help.
She added that her daughter was wearing her cartoon-printed pyjamas and urged the public to help to look out for her.
Shearwey’s uncle, Ooi Eng Hiap, 25, who helped in the search, said they had checked the market and the surrounding areas.
“My brother, Eng Chew (Shearwey’s father), who is now in China for a business trip has been informed and will be returning home as soon as possible,” he said.
The family later lodged a police report at the Bayan Lepas police station.
The investigation officer said they would be helping to search for the missing girl. Those who have information on the girl can contact the police station at 04-643 0311 or Ooi at 017-498 8403.
.......................................
Girl killed
The Star online. News. Nation. Monday July 9, 2007
PENANG: Four-year-old Shearwey Ooi Ying Ying is dead, three days after she was reported missing.
She is believed to have been murdered and her bone fragments strewn in at least four different places – a cemetery, river and an apartment dumpsite in Paya Terubong and another river in Jalan Air Itam.
Penang CPO Deputy Commissioner Datuk Koh Hong Sun said a woman and her boyfriend were arrested at the Bayan Lepas police station at 1pm yesterday in connection with the little girl's death.
The murder allegedly took place in the couple’s rented apartment in Bandar Baru Air Itam on Friday, the day the girl was reported missing by her mother Jess Teh.
It is learnt the man could have killed the girl while the woman, a close relative, was at work. He then brought the body to a nearby cemetery where he burnt the body using kerosene.
After being arrested, the suspect brought a police team, led by forensic pathologist Datuk Dr Bhupinder Singh to the cemetery at 7pm where they found a bone fragment near a tombstone. The girl’s burnt pyjamas were recovered from a nearby river, wrapped in a black plastic bag.
The search later continued at an apartment in Lintang Paya Terubong before proceeding to another river at Jalan Air Itam. The two were then brought back to their rented apartment as police searched for more leads.
Teh, 28, who is in the midst of a divorce, had told a press conference on Saturday that she left Ying Ying outside her car near the Bayan Baru market when she went to pay for her parking ticket and found the girl missing when she returned.
She had appealed to the Penang MCA and the public to help find the girl, leading to a state-wide search involving over 1,000 party members. Thousands of posters of Ying Ying were printed and distributed as well as put up in public places in the hope of finding the girl alive.
At around noon yesterday, Teh and her mother Ong Sea Wah joined a group of MCA members to distribute posters of Ying Ying at the market.
Ying Ying's uncle Ooi Eng Hiap, 25, was shocked to learn of his niece's death last night.
“She did not have to die this way,” he said, adding that he had yet to relay the tragic news to his brother, Eng Chew (Ying Ying's father).
Eng Chew had planned to return from Yunnan, China today.
At Ying Ying's grandparents' home in Bandar Baru Air Itam, loud wails and sobs could be heard several doors away.
“Why take the life of an innocent child? I took care of her until she was so big and they killed her just like that,” the grandmother was heard saying in between sobs. The family refused to speak to the press.
State MCA Wanita chief Ooi Siew Kim said: “Ying Ying was an innocent child and we are very sad that things have turned out this way.”
Bayan Baru MP Datuk Wong Kam Hoong, who had offered a RM10,000 reward to locate the girl, described the news as “shocking”.
“We never expected such a tragic end. We had hoped to reunite the family,” he said.
Monday, 2 July 2007
2007 06: Cross-country: Missing boy was with grandpa
NST online. Local News. 28/6/07
By : Fadhal Ilahi Ab Ghani and R. Yasothai
KUALA LUMPUR, THU.:
A seven-year-old boy, reported missing for the past six days, was found safe at his grandfather’s house in Wangsa Melawati, near Hulu Klang, yesterday.
Muhammad Haiqal Shaqidin Mohd Nor Hisham of Taman Permata was reunited with his parents at the Ampang police station at 11am.
Police had picked up the boy from his grandfather’s house and brought him to the station before informing his worried parents, Mohd Nor Hisham Mat Zahari and Juli Kartini Kamarudin.
Ampang police chief ACP Amer Awal said a man approached him while he and his men were distributing flyers of the missing boy in Taman Melawati.
"He told me he knew the whereabouts of Haiqal. He then took us to Haiqal’s grandfather’s house where we found the boy."
A relieved Juli Kartini, 31, said a policeman called to inform her that her son had been found.
Apparently, Haiqal, who did not return home after a visit to a nearby cyber cafe on Friday, was sent to his grandfather’s house by an unidentified woman on Monday.
She said her father, Kamarudin Othman, had been unable to get in touch with her as she was busy searching for the boy.
She said she was glad that Haiqal was safe and sound.
Recalling the day her son went missing, she said she waited for six hours before lodging a missing person report.
The family started distributing flyers of the boy in the neighbourhood on Saturday.
By : Fadhal Ilahi Ab Ghani and R. Yasothai
KUALA LUMPUR, THU.:
A seven-year-old boy, reported missing for the past six days, was found safe at his grandfather’s house in Wangsa Melawati, near Hulu Klang, yesterday.
Muhammad Haiqal Shaqidin Mohd Nor Hisham of Taman Permata was reunited with his parents at the Ampang police station at 11am.
Police had picked up the boy from his grandfather’s house and brought him to the station before informing his worried parents, Mohd Nor Hisham Mat Zahari and Juli Kartini Kamarudin.
Ampang police chief ACP Amer Awal said a man approached him while he and his men were distributing flyers of the missing boy in Taman Melawati.
"He told me he knew the whereabouts of Haiqal. He then took us to Haiqal’s grandfather’s house where we found the boy."
A relieved Juli Kartini, 31, said a policeman called to inform her that her son had been found.
Apparently, Haiqal, who did not return home after a visit to a nearby cyber cafe on Friday, was sent to his grandfather’s house by an unidentified woman on Monday.
She said her father, Kamarudin Othman, had been unable to get in touch with her as she was busy searching for the boy.
She said she was glad that Haiqal was safe and sound.
Recalling the day her son went missing, she said she waited for six hours before lodging a missing person report.
The family started distributing flyers of the boy in the neighbourhood on Saturday.
Friday, 29 June 2007
2007 06: Search continues for missing five-year-old girl
NST online. NewsBreak. 24/6/07
BERNAMA
MIRI, Sun.:
A five-year-old girl was reported missing during a picnic with five family members near the Tanjung Lobang beach here.
Puteri Zahirah Fandi was last seen playing at the water’s edge at about 6pm yesterday. A search was mounted until midnight after a report of her disappearance was lodged at about 7pm.
Miri fire-and-rescue superintendent, Mohd Shoki Hamzah, said that nearly 40 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, police’s General Operations Force and nearby military camp took part in the search effort when it resumed at 6.30am today. They had been divided into small groups to scour the sea and nearby jungle for the missing girl, he said.
BERNAMA
MIRI, Sun.:
A five-year-old girl was reported missing during a picnic with five family members near the Tanjung Lobang beach here.
Puteri Zahirah Fandi was last seen playing at the water’s edge at about 6pm yesterday. A search was mounted until midnight after a report of her disappearance was lodged at about 7pm.
Miri fire-and-rescue superintendent, Mohd Shoki Hamzah, said that nearly 40 personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department, police’s General Operations Force and nearby military camp took part in the search effort when it resumed at 6.30am today. They had been divided into small groups to scour the sea and nearby jungle for the missing girl, he said.
Thursday, 28 June 2007
2007 06: Syabil Family holds ‘kenduri’ as abducted baby turns two
The Star online. News. Nation. Monday June 18, 2007
By TUNKU SHAHARIAH
SUNGAI PETANI: Mohamad Nor Syabil Syakirin Mohd Nordin, who caused a nationwide stir when he was whisked away from the Sungai Petani Hospital after he was born, is now a boisterous toddler who loves comics and sambal tumis.
He turns two tomorrow.
The baby, who made front-page news when he was abducted just 30 minutes after he was born, is the apple of his parents' eyes and a little celebrity in his neighbourhood.
The infant was reportedly carried out from the hospital in an overnight bag and was found in the home of a staff nurse four days later.
After a series of DNA tests, he was returned to couple Mohd Nordin Derais and Noryati Abu Bakar, both 35.
“Syabil is our miracle baby and I will always be grateful to Allah for his return,” said his doting mum, during a thanksgiving kenduri at their home in Lorong Sri Tanjung, Sungai Layar here on Saturday.
“Syabil is very active, loves to talk and, like me, enjoys spicy food,” added Noryati, as she fondly watched the child play with brothers Mohamad Nursyazuan, 12, and Mohamad Nursyamil, seven.
The little boy may not be aware of the adventure he went through but a thick file awaits him when he is old enough to read, said Nordin.
“My wife and I have compiled all the newspaper cuttings on his abduction and his reunion with us,” said the store assistant.
The family has also set up a trust fund for Syabil, from donations by well-wishers during the harrowing time the baby went missing.
The boy's case generated so much public interest that there was even a poll to name him.
The family named him Syabil, from the Arabic word that means, “the stars shine on the grateful.”
For them, Syabil is the star that glows in the family.
By TUNKU SHAHARIAH
SUNGAI PETANI: Mohamad Nor Syabil Syakirin Mohd Nordin, who caused a nationwide stir when he was whisked away from the Sungai Petani Hospital after he was born, is now a boisterous toddler who loves comics and sambal tumis.
He turns two tomorrow.
The baby, who made front-page news when he was abducted just 30 minutes after he was born, is the apple of his parents' eyes and a little celebrity in his neighbourhood.
The infant was reportedly carried out from the hospital in an overnight bag and was found in the home of a staff nurse four days later.
After a series of DNA tests, he was returned to couple Mohd Nordin Derais and Noryati Abu Bakar, both 35.
“Syabil is our miracle baby and I will always be grateful to Allah for his return,” said his doting mum, during a thanksgiving kenduri at their home in Lorong Sri Tanjung, Sungai Layar here on Saturday.
“Syabil is very active, loves to talk and, like me, enjoys spicy food,” added Noryati, as she fondly watched the child play with brothers Mohamad Nursyazuan, 12, and Mohamad Nursyamil, seven.
The little boy may not be aware of the adventure he went through but a thick file awaits him when he is old enough to read, said Nordin.
“My wife and I have compiled all the newspaper cuttings on his abduction and his reunion with us,” said the store assistant.
The family has also set up a trust fund for Syabil, from donations by well-wishers during the harrowing time the baby went missing.
The boy's case generated so much public interest that there was even a poll to name him.
The family named him Syabil, from the Arabic word that means, “the stars shine on the grateful.”
For them, Syabil is the star that glows in the family.
2007 06: Close bond with daughter
The Star online. News. Nation. Sunday June 17, 2007
VERY close – that was how Inul Jalal Abdul Rahman, 70, described his relationship with his daughter Ainul Hanani Maulad Inul Jalal (pic), 16, who went missing almost two weeks ago.
Jalal, who has six children, says that as the youngest, Ainul was given special attention, especially since the others were all married and Ainul was the only one living with him.
And every Father’s Day, they would go out for a meal together.
“She would buy me presents for that day. We would always enjoy ourselves. This year, however, it is going to be a black day,” said the retired schoolteacher.
Ainul disappeared one afternoon after helping her father out at one of his political meetings.
“She was helping me get ready for one of my meetings. She was wiping the table. She left when the meeting started,” said Jalal, who has asked the media to help find his daughter.
He has also lodged a police report and established contacts all over the country, and even asked the help of religious people to pray for his daughter.
“If you are a father, you will know how I feel. I just want her back,” he said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ainul can contact the Taiping MCA service centre at 05-8088012 during office hours.
VERY close – that was how Inul Jalal Abdul Rahman, 70, described his relationship with his daughter Ainul Hanani Maulad Inul Jalal (pic), 16, who went missing almost two weeks ago.
Jalal, who has six children, says that as the youngest, Ainul was given special attention, especially since the others were all married and Ainul was the only one living with him.
And every Father’s Day, they would go out for a meal together.
“She would buy me presents for that day. We would always enjoy ourselves. This year, however, it is going to be a black day,” said the retired schoolteacher.
Ainul disappeared one afternoon after helping her father out at one of his political meetings.
“She was helping me get ready for one of my meetings. She was wiping the table. She left when the meeting started,” said Jalal, who has asked the media to help find his daughter.
He has also lodged a police report and established contacts all over the country, and even asked the help of religious people to pray for his daughter.
“If you are a father, you will know how I feel. I just want her back,” he said.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ainul can contact the Taiping MCA service centre at 05-8088012 during office hours.
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
2007 05: Ibu rayu anak pulang
Berita Harian online. Edisi Timur. 15/05/07
TERENGGANU: Seorang pelajar Tingkatan Tiga Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Ahmad, di sini, Ilyasak Arifin, 15, tidak pulang sejak keluar daripada rumah 21 hari lalu.
Ibunya, Zamani Salleh, 54, berkata, Ilyasak keluar dari rumah dengan menunggang basikal kira-kira jam 3 petang dan beliau menyangka anaknya pergi ke rumah rakan.
"Saya hanya membuat laporan polis pada hari kelima dia tidak balik ke rumah kerana menyangka dia kelima daripada enam beradik bermalam di rumah rakan.
"Kami sekeluarga sudah mencari di semua rumah rakan Ilyasak serta rumah saudara dan sehingga kini belum berhasil," katanya ketika ditemui, semalam.
Orang ramai yang mengetahui di mana Ilyasak berada diminta menghubungi Zamani di talian 012-9224050 atau balai polis berhampiran.
TERENGGANU: Seorang pelajar Tingkatan Tiga Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Ahmad, di sini, Ilyasak Arifin, 15, tidak pulang sejak keluar daripada rumah 21 hari lalu.
Ibunya, Zamani Salleh, 54, berkata, Ilyasak keluar dari rumah dengan menunggang basikal kira-kira jam 3 petang dan beliau menyangka anaknya pergi ke rumah rakan.
"Saya hanya membuat laporan polis pada hari kelima dia tidak balik ke rumah kerana menyangka dia kelima daripada enam beradik bermalam di rumah rakan.
"Kami sekeluarga sudah mencari di semua rumah rakan Ilyasak serta rumah saudara dan sehingga kini belum berhasil," katanya ketika ditemui, semalam.
Orang ramai yang mengetahui di mana Ilyasak berada diminta menghubungi Zamani di talian 012-9224050 atau balai polis berhampiran.
Monday, 14 May 2007
2007 05: Parents face harsher penalties
The Star online. News. Nation. Sunday May 13, 2007
By YONG AI WEN
KUALA LUMPUR: Like kids who are afraid of being caned, parents who neglect their children will be disciplined with harsher punishment.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum proposed to increase punishment for parents under the Child Act, 2001.
Currently, Section 33 of the Act carries a fine of up to RM5,000, a two-year jail sentence or both for anyone who fails to properly supervise their children.
“We have numerous missing child cases. The public who sympathised with the parents failed to see the mistakes the parents made in the first place.
“If the parents care about their kids, why do they fail to keep an eye on them?
“Parents who have failed in their responsibilities must be brought before the law,” he said when launching Informasi Polis (Police Information), a new programme dedicated to raising public awareness on crime and educating viewers on how to prevent it.
Since 2004, about 1,900 children have been reported missing but the numbers could be higher.
“These are the numbers we gather from police reports. There may be some who do not report missing children to the police.
“We hope to elaborate on the severity of the punishments according to the offences committed and include punishment for offences committed by the children like playing truant,” said Johari.
The Mandarin programme, a joint effort by police and Astro, will be aired every Sunday at 5.30pm starting from today on Astro AEC (Channel 19).
By YONG AI WEN
KUALA LUMPUR: Like kids who are afraid of being caned, parents who neglect their children will be disciplined with harsher punishment.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum proposed to increase punishment for parents under the Child Act, 2001.
Currently, Section 33 of the Act carries a fine of up to RM5,000, a two-year jail sentence or both for anyone who fails to properly supervise their children.
“We have numerous missing child cases. The public who sympathised with the parents failed to see the mistakes the parents made in the first place.
“If the parents care about their kids, why do they fail to keep an eye on them?
“Parents who have failed in their responsibilities must be brought before the law,” he said when launching Informasi Polis (Police Information), a new programme dedicated to raising public awareness on crime and educating viewers on how to prevent it.
Since 2004, about 1,900 children have been reported missing but the numbers could be higher.
“These are the numbers we gather from police reports. There may be some who do not report missing children to the police.
“We hope to elaborate on the severity of the punishments according to the offences committed and include punishment for offences committed by the children like playing truant,” said Johari.
The Mandarin programme, a joint effort by police and Astro, will be aired every Sunday at 5.30pm starting from today on Astro AEC (Channel 19).
Tuesday, 8 May 2007
2007 05: ‘I want to be with mum’
The Star online. News. Nation. Friday May 4, 2007
By SIRA HABIBU
ALOR STAR: A 12-year-old boy, who ran away from a children’s home in Penang to be with his mother, wants to stay with her and go to a school near her house in Kampung Seberang Nyonya in Pekan Cina here.
Muhammad Tauhiq Firddauz Abu Bakar was sent to stay at the home five years ago because of a court order, as his mother 38-year-old Norshafilla Osman, a divorcee with five sons, was jobless.
Muhammad Tauhiq ran away from the home in November last year, claiming he could not stand being bullied by the older “sisters” at the home.
“I want to sit for the UPSR this year. I do not want to miss the examination. But my mother could not enrol me in any school in Kedah.
“The Welfare Department officers say I must return to the school in Bertam. This is not fair. Why can’t I be with my mother and go to a school near my mother’s house?
“When I was taken away from my mother, the people at the children’s home did not send me to a school for quite some time. Maybe they thought I would run away.
“I was finally enrolled into SK Hashim Awang in Year 3.
“After my Year 5 examination, I decided to run away on a bicycle to be with my mother.
“I rode on the North-South Expressway to Alor Star. But police stopped me at the Sungai Petani Utara toll plaza and took me to my mother,” he said.
Muhammad Tauhiq said he dearly wished that all his brothers could stay together with their mother as a family.
“My eldest brother is staying with a relative. My two other brothers are staying in children's homes. Only my nine-year-old brother is with our mother,” he said.
A spokesman from the children’s home claimed that Muhammad Tauhiq ran away from his mother’s home, not their home.
Kedah Welfare Department deputy director Hashimah Ibrahim said the department had applied for the court order as the mother could not afford to take care of her children.
.....................................
Runaway may get to stay with mum
The Star online. News. Nation. Saturday May 5, 2007
By SIRA HABIBU
ALOR STAR: The 12-year-old boy who ran away from a children's home in Penang may get his wish to stay with his mother in Kedah.
Alor Star MP Datuk Chor Chee Heung said he would talk to the Welfare Department to make the necessary arrangements for the boy to stay with his mother and continue schooling in Kedah.
“The boy must continue schooling. We will work something out in terms of maintenance and schooling. I will make arrangements to give him pocket money,” he said.
He was commenting on Muhammad Tauhiq Firddauz Abu Bakar’s plight which was highlighted in The Star yesterday.
The boy ran away from a children’s shelter in Kepala Batas to be with his mother in Kampung Seberang Nyonya in Pekan Cina here.
He started cycling towards Alor Star, 90km away, on the day after sitting for his final Year Five paper in November last year. Police spotted him at the Sungai Petani Utara toll plaza about 30km from the children’s home.
He was then brought to his mother. The boy was separated from his mother when he was seven following a court order.
His mother Norshafilla Osman, 38, has five sons aged between six and 15 and was not able to take care of her children.
..........................................
Alor Star MCA adopts boy
The Star online. News. Nation. Sunday May 6, 2007
ALOR STAR: The Alor Star MCA has adopted Muhammad Tauhiq Firddauz Abu Bakar, who ran away from a children’s home in Penang to be with his mother, under its “anak angkat” scheme.
Its chairman Datuk Chor Chee Heung said 12-year-old Muhammad Tauhiq would be adopted under the Langkawi Project scheme.
Chor said Muhammad Tauhiq would be given pocket money of RM60 a month, textbooks, bags and shoes if arrangements could be made for him to go to school in Kedah.
Muhammad Tauhiq ran away from a children’s shelter in Kepala Batas last November to be with his mother in Kampung Seberang Nyonya in Pekan China, Alor Star.
He was sent to the children’s home about five years ago after the Welfare Department applied for a court order.
Kedah Welfare Department deputy director Hashimah Ibrahim said the department had applied for the order as the boy's mother, Norshafilla Osman, a divorcee with no income, could not afford to take care of her five sons.
Her eldest son, who is 15, is staying with a relative while two others, aged 13 and 6 are in children’s homes in Malacca and Kepala Batas respectively. Only her nine-year-old son is with her.
Muhammad Tauhiq, who hopes to sit for the UPSR this year, immediately asked his mother to buy him a UPSR science book after Chor donated RM50 to her.
“I have missed classes this year. I do not have any books. I want to study. I wish I could go to tuition classes to catch up with my studies.”
Chor also added that he would discuss with the welfare department to help Norshafilla repair her dilapidated house and apply for a new house built for the poor.
.....................................
Tauhiq gets wish to sit for UPSR today
The Star Online. News. Nation. Monday September 3, 2007
ALOR STAR: The 12-year-old boy who ran away from a children’s home in North Seberang Prai to be with his mother here has got his wish – to sit for the UPSR which starts today.
State Education director Misrah Ibrahim said arrangements were being made to let Muhammad Tauhiq sit for the examination at SK Gerigis here as a private student.
The school is not far from his mother’s rented house in Taman Derga.
Muhammad Tauhiq, when informed of the news, said he would do his “very best”.
“I am so happy now. I was feeling miserable the whole year because I could not attend school,” he said.
Muhammad Tauhiq had pleaded with the education authorities to allow him to sit for the UPSR this year as he did not want to be a school dropout.
He had said he was willing to sleep in a surau if the education authorities allowed him to sit for the examination at his old school, SK Hashim Awang in North Seberang Prai.
Muhammad Tauhiq said he did not know what paper he would be sitting for today, but he was prepared for all the subjects except English.
Penang Puteri Umno chief Azalina Mehtab Mohd Ishaq who read about the boy’s plight in The Star yesterday alerted Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein.
Hishamuddin then directed the relevant authorities to look into the matter.
Malaysia Examination Board director Datuk Mohammed Zakaria Mohd Noor said the board, which allowed the boy to sit for the examination as a private student, gave such leeway to dropouts and those who could not register on time.
By SIRA HABIBU
ALOR STAR: A 12-year-old boy, who ran away from a children’s home in Penang to be with his mother, wants to stay with her and go to a school near her house in Kampung Seberang Nyonya in Pekan Cina here.
Muhammad Tauhiq Firddauz Abu Bakar was sent to stay at the home five years ago because of a court order, as his mother 38-year-old Norshafilla Osman, a divorcee with five sons, was jobless.
Muhammad Tauhiq ran away from the home in November last year, claiming he could not stand being bullied by the older “sisters” at the home.
“I want to sit for the UPSR this year. I do not want to miss the examination. But my mother could not enrol me in any school in Kedah.
“The Welfare Department officers say I must return to the school in Bertam. This is not fair. Why can’t I be with my mother and go to a school near my mother’s house?
“When I was taken away from my mother, the people at the children’s home did not send me to a school for quite some time. Maybe they thought I would run away.
“I was finally enrolled into SK Hashim Awang in Year 3.
“After my Year 5 examination, I decided to run away on a bicycle to be with my mother.
“I rode on the North-South Expressway to Alor Star. But police stopped me at the Sungai Petani Utara toll plaza and took me to my mother,” he said.
Muhammad Tauhiq said he dearly wished that all his brothers could stay together with their mother as a family.
“My eldest brother is staying with a relative. My two other brothers are staying in children's homes. Only my nine-year-old brother is with our mother,” he said.
A spokesman from the children’s home claimed that Muhammad Tauhiq ran away from his mother’s home, not their home.
Kedah Welfare Department deputy director Hashimah Ibrahim said the department had applied for the court order as the mother could not afford to take care of her children.
.....................................
Runaway may get to stay with mum
The Star online. News. Nation. Saturday May 5, 2007
By SIRA HABIBU
ALOR STAR: The 12-year-old boy who ran away from a children's home in Penang may get his wish to stay with his mother in Kedah.
Alor Star MP Datuk Chor Chee Heung said he would talk to the Welfare Department to make the necessary arrangements for the boy to stay with his mother and continue schooling in Kedah.
“The boy must continue schooling. We will work something out in terms of maintenance and schooling. I will make arrangements to give him pocket money,” he said.
He was commenting on Muhammad Tauhiq Firddauz Abu Bakar’s plight which was highlighted in The Star yesterday.
The boy ran away from a children’s shelter in Kepala Batas to be with his mother in Kampung Seberang Nyonya in Pekan Cina here.
He started cycling towards Alor Star, 90km away, on the day after sitting for his final Year Five paper in November last year. Police spotted him at the Sungai Petani Utara toll plaza about 30km from the children’s home.
He was then brought to his mother. The boy was separated from his mother when he was seven following a court order.
His mother Norshafilla Osman, 38, has five sons aged between six and 15 and was not able to take care of her children.
..........................................
Alor Star MCA adopts boy
The Star online. News. Nation. Sunday May 6, 2007
ALOR STAR: The Alor Star MCA has adopted Muhammad Tauhiq Firddauz Abu Bakar, who ran away from a children’s home in Penang to be with his mother, under its “anak angkat” scheme.
Its chairman Datuk Chor Chee Heung said 12-year-old Muhammad Tauhiq would be adopted under the Langkawi Project scheme.
Chor said Muhammad Tauhiq would be given pocket money of RM60 a month, textbooks, bags and shoes if arrangements could be made for him to go to school in Kedah.
Muhammad Tauhiq ran away from a children’s shelter in Kepala Batas last November to be with his mother in Kampung Seberang Nyonya in Pekan China, Alor Star.
He was sent to the children’s home about five years ago after the Welfare Department applied for a court order.
Kedah Welfare Department deputy director Hashimah Ibrahim said the department had applied for the order as the boy's mother, Norshafilla Osman, a divorcee with no income, could not afford to take care of her five sons.
Her eldest son, who is 15, is staying with a relative while two others, aged 13 and 6 are in children’s homes in Malacca and Kepala Batas respectively. Only her nine-year-old son is with her.
Muhammad Tauhiq, who hopes to sit for the UPSR this year, immediately asked his mother to buy him a UPSR science book after Chor donated RM50 to her.
“I have missed classes this year. I do not have any books. I want to study. I wish I could go to tuition classes to catch up with my studies.”
Chor also added that he would discuss with the welfare department to help Norshafilla repair her dilapidated house and apply for a new house built for the poor.
.....................................
Tauhiq gets wish to sit for UPSR today
The Star Online. News. Nation. Monday September 3, 2007
ALOR STAR: The 12-year-old boy who ran away from a children’s home in North Seberang Prai to be with his mother here has got his wish – to sit for the UPSR which starts today.
State Education director Misrah Ibrahim said arrangements were being made to let Muhammad Tauhiq sit for the examination at SK Gerigis here as a private student.
The school is not far from his mother’s rented house in Taman Derga.
Muhammad Tauhiq, when informed of the news, said he would do his “very best”.
“I am so happy now. I was feeling miserable the whole year because I could not attend school,” he said.
Muhammad Tauhiq had pleaded with the education authorities to allow him to sit for the UPSR this year as he did not want to be a school dropout.
He had said he was willing to sleep in a surau if the education authorities allowed him to sit for the examination at his old school, SK Hashim Awang in North Seberang Prai.
Muhammad Tauhiq said he did not know what paper he would be sitting for today, but he was prepared for all the subjects except English.
Penang Puteri Umno chief Azalina Mehtab Mohd Ishaq who read about the boy’s plight in The Star yesterday alerted Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein.
Hishamuddin then directed the relevant authorities to look into the matter.
Malaysia Examination Board director Datuk Mohammed Zakaria Mohd Noor said the board, which allowed the boy to sit for the examination as a private student, gave such leeway to dropouts and those who could not register on time.
Thursday, 3 May 2007
2007 04: Joy, disbelief as daughter returns after two years
NST online. Local News. 15/04/07
TENGKU PUTERI NUR AQILAH & TENGKU KAMARUDIN:Runaways or forcibly taken away, it makes no difference to parents. The fear of not knowing what has happened to their children is a fate that no parent should undergo.
V. SHUMAN and FADHAL ILAHI ABD GHANI spoke to two families who experienced contrasting fortunes recently.
TIME stood still for Maria Wati Abdul Wahab on Thursday evening.
The daughter she had never given up hope on, was standing in front of their home in Kuala Lumpur.
They stared at each other for a moment before breaking down and collapsing into each other’s arms. The prodigal daughter, Tengku Puteri Nur Aqilah Tengku Kamarudin, had returned after two years.
There was no hesitancy on Maria’s part. Her daughter was back and that was all that mattered.
They were still crying and holding onto each other when the New Sunday Times visited them the next day.
Tengku Puteri, 16, did not want to say much. Her mother did most of the talking.
Her mother had waited outside her school in Jalan Peel in April, 2005, but Tengku Puteri did not show up. "My life was never the same again," Maria, 39, said.
Maria and her husband, Mohd Alyvvn Lim, spent more than RM50,000 on travel, telephone calls and other expenditure in their search of their only child.
Maria spoke of how afraid she would be whenever she watched the news or read about the body of an unidentified girl being found.
"I would pray it wasn’t my daughter." On many occasions, the couple were sent on a wild goose chase all over the country.
"We went through hell, our marriage suffered but I am so happy now. I am not going to lose her again.
"It is believed that the girl stayed with her friend’s family for the past two years. She did not contact her family but "came to her senses" on Thursday morning.
She was crying throughout the interview. Her mother held her and kept assuring her that everything would be all right.
Maria is not going to force Tengku Puteri to get back to her studies.
"I will allow her to decide. "I will not impose my will on her. I don’t want to lose her."
She recounted the moment when she set eyes on her daughter after two years on Thursday evening.
She and her husband, who operate a food stall near their apartment at the Dahlia Court in Pandan Indah, were starting business for the day when the guard told them that their daughter had just gone to their unit.
"I was afraid of being disappointed again. "There were many times when the information we got about her turned out to be false," Maria said.
"I had to pinch myself to make sure I was not dreaming when I saw my daughter standing outside our unit."
TENGKU PUTERI NUR AQILAH & TENGKU KAMARUDIN:Runaways or forcibly taken away, it makes no difference to parents. The fear of not knowing what has happened to their children is a fate that no parent should undergo.
V. SHUMAN and FADHAL ILAHI ABD GHANI spoke to two families who experienced contrasting fortunes recently.
TIME stood still for Maria Wati Abdul Wahab on Thursday evening.
The daughter she had never given up hope on, was standing in front of their home in Kuala Lumpur.
They stared at each other for a moment before breaking down and collapsing into each other’s arms. The prodigal daughter, Tengku Puteri Nur Aqilah Tengku Kamarudin, had returned after two years.
There was no hesitancy on Maria’s part. Her daughter was back and that was all that mattered.
They were still crying and holding onto each other when the New Sunday Times visited them the next day.
Tengku Puteri, 16, did not want to say much. Her mother did most of the talking.
Her mother had waited outside her school in Jalan Peel in April, 2005, but Tengku Puteri did not show up. "My life was never the same again," Maria, 39, said.
Maria and her husband, Mohd Alyvvn Lim, spent more than RM50,000 on travel, telephone calls and other expenditure in their search of their only child.
Maria spoke of how afraid she would be whenever she watched the news or read about the body of an unidentified girl being found.
"I would pray it wasn’t my daughter." On many occasions, the couple were sent on a wild goose chase all over the country.
"We went through hell, our marriage suffered but I am so happy now. I am not going to lose her again.
"It is believed that the girl stayed with her friend’s family for the past two years. She did not contact her family but "came to her senses" on Thursday morning.
She was crying throughout the interview. Her mother held her and kept assuring her that everything would be all right.
Maria is not going to force Tengku Puteri to get back to her studies.
"I will allow her to decide. "I will not impose my will on her. I don’t want to lose her."
She recounted the moment when she set eyes on her daughter after two years on Thursday evening.
She and her husband, who operate a food stall near their apartment at the Dahlia Court in Pandan Indah, were starting business for the day when the guard told them that their daughter had just gone to their unit.
"I was afraid of being disappointed again. "There were many times when the information we got about her turned out to be false," Maria said.
"I had to pinch myself to make sure I was not dreaming when I saw my daughter standing outside our unit."
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