SHAH ALAM - The story of two siblings who previously went viral after allegedly being beaten by their biological father for wanting to attend school has once again captured public attention after they were reportedly chased out by relatives caring for them.
The siblings, who lost their mother at a young age, had earlier been rescued by authorities after allegedly suffering abuse at the hands of their father, who reportedly wanted them to work instead of continuing their education. Their father has since been charged.
Following the rescue operation, the children were placed under the care of relatives. However, according to Rumah Perlindungan Kanak-Kanak TBQ Amal founder, Herman Sudil, the siblings recently faced another painful ordeal after returning home from school.
While many children are welcomed home with warmth and meals prepared by family members, the two siblings were allegedly met with shock when their clothes had been thrown outside the house by the relatives caring for them.
“Their clothes were thrown outside the house. They had just returned from school and were chased out. These two siblings were admitted to hospital for almost two weeks last year. Not because of an accident, but because they were beaten by their own father.
“After their parents divorced, they lived with their mother, who later remarried. Unfortunately, their mother did not live long and the siblings were then cared for by their stepfather. After the stepfather remarried, the siblings were handed over to their elderly grandparents.
“When their grandparents became too frail and had no stable income, the siblings’ lives continued to change. They were passed from one relative to another before eventually being returned to their biological father.
“But sadly, they were severely beaten and bedridden in hospital for two weeks because they wanted to attend school while their father wanted them to work and earn money. Both of them were later rescued by the authorities before being temporarily placed at the welfare home I manage,” he said.
According to Herman, the authorities later managed to identify relatives who were willing to care for the siblings, leading many to believe their lives would finally stabilise.
However, another distressing episode unfolded after the children returned from school and discovered their belongings had been thrown outside.
“I thought the siblings’ lives would improve because they loved going to school, but instead they went through an even darker episode when they returned home from school only to find all their clothes thrown outside the house.
“They collected all the clothes that had been thrown out and left the relatives’ house before calling me because they did not know where they would spend the night. In the scorching heat, the children did not know where to go.
“When they informed us they had been chased out of the house, Rumah Amal TBQ immediately bought bus tickets and the siblings travelled alone. They arrived at Larkin Bus Terminal at 3am where wardens welcomed them as though they were their own children.
“They only want a safe place to stay and they want to continue going to school because they love school.
“Imagine facing such hardships since childhood, having a father who beats them and forces them to work. Even after being handed to relatives, the siblings have gone through so much,” he added.
Herman, who currently cares for more than 50 orphaned children, said the siblings’ story has once again sparked emotional reactions online, with many Malaysians expressing sympathy and hoping the children will finally experience stability, safety and the chance to continue their education peacefully.