Mum allegedly abandons disabled boy
JOHOR BARU: A 12-year-old boy, who is disabled, had to stay in a Kempas cybercafe after he was abandoned by his biological mother earlier this month.
It is learned that the boy’s mother, Norzimah Abdullah, 42, had relocated and could not be traced.
Muhmmad Haffizzudden Husain’s predicament came to light when he was spotted by a police officer attached to the Johor Baru Utara district police headquarters on Oct 12.
Johor Baru Welfare Department officer Normawarni Mahat said the boy was spotted loitering near the cybercafe without adult supervision.
She said Haffizzudden had a learning disability and was not carrying any identity document.
However, he was able to provide information about himself and his mother, as well as where he used to live.
“The boy said his mother left him in a public place before the owner of the cybercafe said he could stay at the shop,” Normawarni said.
She said the boy had been temporarily placed at Johor Baru Taman Sinar Harapan Tampoi.
“On Oct 14, the boy was taken by a caregiver to his mother’s workplace and their family home near the A-Mart supermarket in Kempas.
“However, it was learnt that, the family has moved and checks showed that the child’s biological mother received immediate aid from the Johor Baru Welfare Department in July last year to return to Kluang, Johor.
“They used to temporarily stay at Johor Baru’s Anjung Singgah.”
Normawarni said since the boy was placed under the department’s care, there had been no attempt by Haffizzudden’s family members to visit him.
“The boy is healthy but needs care and protection,” she said.
The case is being investigated under Subsection 17(1) of the Child Act 2001.
Normawarni urged those with information on Haffizzudden’s family to contact the Johor Baru Welfare Department at 07-2232606.