Rohana's story spreads to Indonesia, invites positive comments
Bernama
Januari 17, 2022
The story of Rohana Abdullah, the daughter of an Indonesian worker but raised by a Malaysian woman of a different race, has spread on various media platforms and has gained the sympathy of the Indonesian community. - Facebook/Gulam Muszaffar
JAKARTA: The story of Rohana Abdullah, the daughter of an Indonesian worker but raised by a Malaysian woman of a different race, has spread on various media platforms and has gained the sympathy of the Indonesian community.
This is especially so when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob paid immediate attention by contacting Rohana and promising to help with managing the documentation regarding her citizenship status.
The Indonesian chapter of the Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists Association (ISWAMI) fully supports the prime minister's initiative, which is also part of efforts to further strengthen Malaysia-Indonesia relations, notably in the universal issue of humanity.
"I am touched by Rohana's story and really appreciate the efforts of the Prime Minister and the Malaysian government when they can fully help Rohana until she gets her status for sure," said ISWAMI Indonesia's chief, Asro Kamal Rokan.
ISWAMI Indonesia also praised Chee Hoi Lan, 83, a kindergarten teacher where Rohana's mother works as a cleaner, for taking care of Rohana like her own child to this day.
"This is a humanitarian issue that is our common concern," Asro told Bernama today when asked to comment on the Harian Metro newspaper report which revealed the dilemma faced by Rohana.
Rohana was a two-month-old baby when her mother left her 22 years ago in a kindergarten located in Kuala Lumpur because the latter had to return to her hometown in Indonesia.
Chee took care of all of Rohana's needs with her own savings, including sending her to 'Fardu Ain' (religious) classes to ensure that she is taken care of as a Muslim.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said a thorough investigation will be done before an identification document is given to Rohana.
Rohana's story also invited many positive comments from Indonesians, including part-time media practitioner in Jakarta, David Andreas, who stated that it was a touching one.
"It should be an example...differences are not an obstacle for anyone to do good and unite," he said, hoping Chee's kindness will forever be remembered and for Rohana to be reunited with her mother as a result of the viral news across the republic.
"Overwhelmed to read this story; Rohana should be grateful to have a kind adoptive mother," said administrative clerk Herning Rini. "Hopefully, the matter of status (citizenship) and finding the birth mother will be made easier."
-- BERNAMA
Supporting documents needed to assist stateless Rohana - Home Minister
Bernama
Januari 17, 2022
Supporting documents needed to assist stateless Rohana - Home Minister
A thorough investigation will be conducted before identification documents could be given to stateless Rohana Abdullah who was abandoned as a baby by her mother who returned to Indonesia, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin. - BERNAMA
KUANTAN: A thorough investigation will be conducted before identification documents could be given to stateless Rohana Abdullah who was abandoned as a baby by her mother who returned to Indonesia, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.
He said certain supporting documents are needed to resolve the issue.
''There are documents that are required in granting a person citizenship...there are many (cases) like this in Sabah and Sarawak as well as throughout the country. These (cases) involve a relatively big number.
"I understand Rohana's father is a citizen. Therefore, if there are documents to prove this, it would make it easier for us to grant it (identification document). This is a responsibility given to me and it will be done as best as possible.
"I also see this issue (identification documents) as one of the ministry's agenda for this year to reduce the number of those facing such problems," he said when asked about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's commitment to assist Rohana through a video shared on social media yesterday.
Hamzah said this at a press conference after a working visit on East Coast flood management, here, today. The event was also attended by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Razarudin Husain, Terengganu police chief Datuk Rohaimi Md Isa and Pahang police chief Datuk Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf.
The media previously reported that Rohana, 22, was abandoned at age two months by her Indonesian mother, and raised for nearly 20 years by a woman, Chee Hoi Lan, now aged 83, who was a teacher at the kindergarten where her mother worked as a cleaner.
It was also reported that Rohana was forced to drop out of school as she did not have identification documents as well as suffered from anxiety due to the problems she faced.
In another matter, Hamzah said his team had ordered 50 boats of various types, at an estimated cost of RM3.05 million, which were suitable to be used during flood situations. Seven of the boats were handed over today for use in East Coast states (Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang).
He said all seven Dutch-made boats were made of durable high-density polyethene material worth RM267,000, comprising various passenger capacities.
"I was informed that the remaining boats of various sizes and types would be completed within 10 weeks," he added.
-- BERNAMA
