DETAINEES EAT RICE WITH COLD WATER
Yusuf’s mother says last contact with her son was on Feb 8
RICE with cold water. This is the menu that some Malaysians detained at Poipet prison in Banteay Mancheay, Cambodia, have been having since December.
This was revealed by the mother of Yusuf Islam Abdul Halik, 21, who is one of the 47 detainees.
Zunita Sedini, 42, said her eldest son told her this when they talked over the phone recently.
“Yusuf said he and some others only eat rice with cold water, out of fear that the food served at the prison is not halal.
“It broke my heart when he said this, but I told him to be strong while efforts are being made by the Malaysian government to seek their release,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
Zunita said her friend, Mohd Azra, 40, had arrived in Cambodia with food for Yusuf and other detainees.
Zunita said she was last in contact with her son on Feb 8, and was informed all detainees were in good condition.
“I urge them to remain positive because help (to release them) is on the way,” she added.
The mother of another detainee was convinced that his daughter was detained because she was sweet-talked by a recruitment agency that promised a job with a lucrative salary.
Marsita Mohamad, 48, the mother of Nor Ridwana Syahzani Hamddie, 21, remained optimistic that her daughter was innocent and had not done anything that broke Cambodian law.
“I received news of her arrest from Wisma Putra in late January. I hope the Malaysian government can resolve this issue soon and secure the release of all the detainees.”
News of the arrest of the 47 Malaysians in Cambodia for alleged involvement in online gambling activities has shocked the nation.
They were promised a salary in US dollars for working as a promoter of a leading electronic brand for three months.
Wisma Putra has sent a team of negotiators to facilitate their release if there is no proof they violated the law.