Parents looking for missing teen son in Johor

JOHOR BARU: The parents of a 14-year-old boy are appealing for him to return after he allegedly ran away from home three days ago.

His mother Wong Lai Chan, 44, said the incident occurred after the teen, Leong Jun Zhe, was punished at home.

“The father punished him by asking him to stand outside the house. However, after an hour, he disappeared and until now, we do not know his whereabouts,” she said, adding that everyone was worried about him.

Wong added that even her elderly mother-in-law has been driving around looking for her grandson.

“He just took off without anything including money, identity card or other belongings,” she said, adding that her son does not have a mobile phone.

She hoped that the son would return home as he could be embarrassed and ran away.

Asked if he had run away in the past, she said there was a previous time about two months ago, but he came back the same night.

“It was over some comics that we found him reading. It was not a major issue but he came back the same night. This time, he has been gone for three days,” she said, adding that they have also informed the school and were in touch with his friends but no one has seen him.

She hoped to be reunited with her son as she and the family missed him.

“Yes he makes mistakes, but to leave home suddenly is very heartbreaking for all of us,” Wong said, adding that she and her husband, Leong Chei Kin, 43, operate a stall and they have closed it for two days while looking for the boy.

The couple, who have lodged a missing person’s report, sought the help of Iskandar Puteri MCA councillors Lim Soon Hai and Joseph Fu for assistance.

Lim said that he had already sent out the boy’s photograph to all their contacts including Grab drivers to be on the lookout.

“I am sure we will be able to find the boy soon,” he added.

A police official from the Iskandar Puteri police headquarters confirmed that they received a report on the boy.