All set to head for Sweden

KUALA LUMPUR: Two officers from the Women, Family and Community Ministry are ready to head for Sweden, if they are needed, to assist the family of the Malaysian couple detained there for allegedly hitting one of their four children.

“We are awaiting the green light from both Wisma Putra and Swedish officials. Once we get that, two officers from our social welfare department will be sent to look into the situation,” said Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim.

She was speaking to reporters after launching the TNB-MAB sensory garden at the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) complex here yesterday.

Azizul Raheem Awalludin, a Tourism Malaysia director in Stockholm, and his wife Shalwati Nurshal were reported to have hit their 12-year-old son for not performing his prayers. They have reportedly been detained in Sweden since Dec 18 last year, and are still in custody for two weeks before the case is heard.

Rohani said she sympathised with the family’s plight, but said that the Malaysian Government had to be careful as the matter was under Swedish law.

“For us, the children’s welfare is of utmost importance. If our officers are allowed to assist, we will take charge of the children’s welfare, and try to bring them back here with their parents’ consent,” she added.

At a separate press conference, Wanita Umno Chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil urged the Government to send official representatives to Sweden to conduct a watching brief for the family.

“There are many who wish to help the fami­ly so it is best to establish a committee to be in charge of the issue,” she said.