Mohamed Isaac, fostered or forged?
Mohamed Isaac Bin Mohamed Adnan was born to a Malaysian mother and Singaporean father 3 years ago. However, they were sent to conviction for overstaying and drug-related offences.
Mohamed Isaac was not left to fend for himself although his parents were unable to look after him.
Mr Mohamed Ali Bin Ahmad, 55, and his wife Mdm Asmah Binte Hassan, 53, were shortlisted as foster parents by the Ministry of Community Development’s (MCYS) Child Protection Service. They have fostered 3 different children thus far and decided to also foster Mohamed Isaac who was found at the police station. MCYS was also stated to have called up Mdm Asmah to provide him with foster care.
Isaac was born here, but unfortunately is unable to attain citizenship despite having so. Since then, he was classified as stateless.
MCYS has been reported to arrange for his Malaysian citizenship so that he may be returned to his mother. On the contrary, Isaac’s mother has decided to not to look after him, eventually causing him to be placed in an orphanage.
Mr Mohamed and Mdm Asmah have been trying to adopt him but his citizenship status is a constant hindrance for them. The couple is also reported to have sought help from figures of the Parliament as well as appealed to PM Lee Hsien Loong and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to assist their plight.
In support of their aim to adopt Isaac, a MCYS officer informed them that his biological mother had informed MCYS that she had no objections to him being adopted. Even then, in December 2010, they were informed that Isaac would have to be taken away on short notice.
Upon repatriation, Isaac was unhappy and pleaded for the family to take him back. It was a heart-wrenching moment for Mr Mohamed and his family as they were helpless about Isaac’s situation.
MCYS responded to the rising concerns of Isaac’s story by addressing the fact that according to a statement by them, the child’s citizenship status follows that of his mother. MCYS also stated that upon his mother’s return to Malaysia, she had indicated her intention of willing to care for him.
According to an update on the 4th of July 2011, Isaac was handed over to the Johor Social Welfare Development and currently residing in an orphanage.
Mr Mohamed and family expressed their disheartenment and expressed their hopes on getting Isaac back upon adoption. Mdm Asmah particularly emphasized the attachment that the family has with Isaac and how he is treated as part of them.
Isaac had been with the family since he was 10 months old and has been showered with love and care from them. If this means a better future and condition for Isaac to grow in, it is only rational to understand that being with his foster family would be a likely option. Considering his parents’ steadfastness on accepting him as a responsibility, it increases the probability of their family to be chosen if Isaac were to be given for adoption. However, the issue of Isaac’s citizenship still remains as an obstacle.
Isaac’s story has caught the attention of the online community via various social media platforms. The public can sign on an online petition to return Isaac to his foster family, or show their support via a Facebook page that has been set up to raise awareness about his condition.
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