Father’s prison visit turns to ecstasy
KUCHING: A man, who travelled thousands of kilometres and had not slept for 24 hours to visit his son at the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prison in Cambodia, was ecstatic to receive news of his release on Friday.
Abdul Karim Abdul Rahman, 55, together with a friend, took a flight from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur before going to Siem Reap on Saturday.
He said he did not sleep all day and could not wait to meet his son, Abdul Mustaqqim, who he had lost contact with for 65 days.
“Upon arrival at Siem Reap International Airport, I took a taxi to the prison. The journey took more than an hour.
“I was not allowed to enter the prison as it was not visiting hours yet. I had to wait under the trees,” he told the New Straits Times Press.
While waiting, Karim received a short messaging service from an officer in Wisma Putra, informing him that his son and the other detainees would be released.
“Instead of just a prison visit, I got news of his release. My jet lag, tiredness and worries disappeared instantly. It was a blessed Friday.
“At 6.45pm, I finally met my son and we hugged.
“Mustaqqim apologised for having caused inconvenience to the family.”
The 47 Malaysians, who had been detained since Dec 11, were released by the Cambodian authorities on the directive of Prime Minister Hun Sen, following negotiations between both countries.