SEREMBAN -- SINGAPORE-born Yak Eng Wai is a wealthy businessman who made his fortune in Brunei. But he's far from happy, as he's pining for his wife and son, whom he hasn't seen for 35 years.

All he has left of his family is a black-and-white picture taken in 1974 at Penang's Botanic Gardens. Mr Yak, 62, has not heard from his wife Ooi Suan Im or his son for 35 years.

The millionaire businessman claimed that Ms Ooi, who would be 61 now, left their home in Singapore to be with her family in Air Itam in Penang, when she was pregnant with their second child in 1972, leaving their two-year-old son with him.

At the time, Mr Yak, who was struggling to make ends meet in Singapore, was planning to move to Brunei in search of greener pastures.

He desperately wants to meet his wife and surviving son, Ah Teck, who should be 37 years old now. The older son, Cheng Kuan, who had a medical problem since birth, died in Singapore in 1983.

Although Mr Yak remarried in 1981, he continued to search for his first wife and son. He has a 25-year-old daughter from his second marriage.

Mr Yak added that Ms Ooi also went by the name of Lily and that they were married on Dec 7, 1970. He also recalled his wife's family moving from Air Itam to Tanjung Bungah.

Mr Yak's plight was brought to light when state MCA public services and complaints bureau chairman Tung Kong Ming heard about his case from a mutual friend.

'I sympathise with his predicament. Imagine the heartache he has endured all these years. I urge anyone who has information on Mr Yak's wife or his son's whereabouts to come forward and help put an end to this man's grief,' he said.

Those who have information on their whereabouts can contact Tung at 06-761 1002, 06-763 8477 or 019-660 5949. - THE STAR