PETALING JAYA: Wisma Putra has identified four Muslim families who are able to care for the children of the detained Malaysian couple in Sweden, said Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin.
He said the list, which was provided by the Malaysian welfare department through the embassy, has been forwarded to the Swedish social service for vetting.
“However, the process will take time because each family will need to be interviewed before a decision is made,” he said.
He said Wisma Putra representatives have been finally granted direct access to the children after several attempts due to strict Swedish laws concerning minors.
“No one, not even the embassy, is allowed to interfere during investigations by the authorities there.
“We also cannot get direct access to the parents,” he said, adding that the embassy could only contact them through their lawyer.
The children are under the care of a non-Muslim foster family but they reportedly found it hard to adjust to the environment.
For the time being, Hamzah said, the embassy is supplying halal food to the children.
Hamzah dismissed claims that the Government was lackadaisical in handling the case. The couple has been in Swedish custody since Dec 18.
“It is wrong to say that the ministry neglected them. I was involved on the very first day the couple was detained, after being informed,” he said.
Hamzah said the embassy chose not to draw attention to the case because that could affect the ongoing investigation.
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