Couple’s detention a ‘misunderstanding’

PETALING JAYA: PKR’s Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad today said the detention of a Malaysian couple in Sweden for reportedly hitting one of their four children stemmed from a “cultural misunderstanding”.

“It appears that this case stems from a cultural misunderstanding,” said the Seri Setia state assemblyman said in a statement.

“We acknowledge the need to respect the law of the land but at the same time the host country should also be sensitive and proportionate in its application of the law,” he added.

Nik Nazmi said that the detention of Azizul Raheem Awaluddin, a director of Tourism Malaysia in Sweden and his wife Shalwati Nurshal for hitting their 12-year old child for not praying, is regrettable.

“This is compounded with the reports that the couple has been detained for over one month while their four children have been transferred to a non-Muslim foster home,” he said.

“The children have expressed their desire to be cared for by a Muslim family in their meeting with the Malaysian Embassy and Swedish Social Services. The present foster family too supports their wishes,” he added.

The Selangor state assembly deputy speaker then expressed appreciation for efforts made by various parties “in getting the approval for the relatives of the couple to meet the children”.

“I hope this issue is resolved soon for the sake of all the parties involved.”

Avoid politicising the issue

It is understood that the couple, detained last Dec 18, have requested the Swedish Social Services to let their children be temporarily cared for by a Muslim family at the Malaysian embassy in Sweden.

Yesterday, it was reported that the Swedish government had given approval for family representatives to meet the four children.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hamzah Zainuddin said the approval was obtained due to efforts taken by Malaysian Embassy’s representatives in getting the cooperation from the relevant authorities in Sweden.

When asked about efforts taken by certain quarters to bring the children back to Malaysia, the deputy minister said all quarters needed to be patient and avoid politicising the issue.

“It’s not easy to bring the children back. Approval and consent from the parents and family members are needed. There are too many details that the public may not understand.

We are trying to solve this issue nicely as it not only involves the family, but also the two countries,” he was quoted as saying.