KK woman harassed due to same name

A WOMAN in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, whose name is identical to that of a long-lost mother, is being harassed on social media and by strangers on the phone, reported Metro Ahad.

Shirla Fanny Maturin, 44, said she is not the woman being sought by 15-year-old Merhana Abdullah.

“I am not that girl’s mother and I have no relationship with her. I regret that there are people who have criticised me and my family over this issue.

“Even now, my husband, children and family are feeling harassed by the negative comments on social media and phone calls,” she said.

In a July 11 report, Merhana was quoted as saying that she was looking for her mother to facilitate her application for a MyKad so that she could continue with her schooling.

Shirla said although she has the same name as the girl’s mother, she did not know or had any relationship with Merhana’s father, who died in 2011.

“Since I married my husband, Lennon Egedius Sipaul, in 2001, we have been blessed with two children, one of whom is the same age as that girl.

“I have no other husband besides Lennon,” said the real estate agent, who admitted to losing her identity card in 1998 after her bag was snatched.

Shirla only realised that their names were the same when she saw a newspaper report via a WhatsApp message from her client.

“Since then, all my clients have asked about the girl,” she said, adding both she and her husband had lodged a report with the National Registration Department and police as well as met with their lawyer.

“I hope the authorities will find a resolution to this case because I am baffled how her (the other woman’s) name, age and even race are the same as mine,” she said.