‘Suddenly scared’: 6-year-old girl still shaken after her abduction in Johor

JOHOR BAHRU – The six-year-old girl who went missing in Johor for a few days may have returned safely to her family, but she does not want to be left alone.

Clearly still traumatised, the girl has yet to open up fully about the ordeal –

in which she was allegedly kidnapped

in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, on the evening of July 20.

According to her mother, she was physically unhurt, based on a medical check-up at Hospital Selayang, after she was found at a budget hotel in Batang Kali, Selangor, on the morning of July 23.

“However, her mental state is still affected,” said Malaysian Chinese Association Youth chief Ling Tian Soon, who shared what the mother told him after he visited the family on July 25.

“Her mother told us that she would be fine one moment, but she would suddenly feel scared the next. The girl has also told her mother not to leave her alone and that she wants her mum to keep talking to her,” he told The Star.

The family makes sure that the girl is constantly accompanied by her siblings and family members, who play with her to prevent her from feeling lonely.

“The girl also revealed that she was brought to ‘several’ places before ending up at the budget hotel in Batang Kali,” said Mr Ling, who is also the Johor health and environment committee chairman.

“She spoke about her experience in fragments when asked by her 37-year-old mother, and has yet to open up fully,” he said.

“Her family does not want to probe her too much to avoid triggering her. Her mother also wants to give her space and time to express herself slowly.”

The girl’s family has obtained an appointment for her to see a psychiatrist at Hospital Sultanah Aminah soon to get an assessment of her mental state.

“From the assessment, the healthcare professional will determine the necessary steps and follow-up treatment. The health ministry will provide the needed support,” Mr Ling said.

“I have also told the family to reach out to me if they need any assistance, as they have to stay in Johor Bahru for the time being to assist in the police investigation.”

The family is originally from Kluang, Johor.

The girl’s mother took to social media to express her gratitude to the public and police for their help in bringing her daughter home safely.

In a post on Facebook on July 26, Ms Leo Qieo Xin, 37, said she is now prepared to return to work, knowing that her daughter is safe.

“Thank you, netizens and friends, for sharing about my daughter’s disappearance. I am very grateful.

“I can now return to work with my mind at ease as my daughter is back in my arms. I would also like to thank the police for bringing my daughter home,” she wrote in Mandarin.

Mr Ling said the girl, who is cheerful in nature, was eating and responding to questions well after returning home.

During his visit, he presented her with some gifts, including stationery and a pink school bag, to cheer her up.

Upon receiving the gifts, the girl was seen smiling and showing her mother the items.

“Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who is also concerned about her, had asked me to pass her some toys of her favourite cartoon character Kuromi.

“The girl seemed to be in good spirits and immediately started playing with her new toys,” Mr Ling said.

The six-year-old’s disappearance from a Bon Odori Japanese festival in Iskandar Puteri sparked national interest in Malaysia, with many turning to social media to share information about her in hopes of getting her home safely.

Five suspects – three men and two women – were arrested by the police

earlier this week in relation to her disappearance, including a 31-year-old man found in the same budget hotel room as the girl.

Four of the suspects were released on police bail on July 26, while the 31-year-old suspect is to be remanded until July 29. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK