Long-lost Malaysian father found at Singapore care home

 

"We found Abah."

This marks the end of the search for Ali Jais by his three children, less than 24 hours after news related to him was reported by Bernama.

Ali, 84, and his children have been separated for the past 20 years, and he is now at the Bukit Batok Home for the Aged in the West Region of Singapore.

The children believed that their father has been in Singapore all these years, based on checks with the Malaysian Immigration Department a few years ago.

"Alhamdulillah, Abah is in good health. I was informed that Abah remembers all our names. When asked the children's names... all are correct," said his eldest daughter Hasliza Ali, who contacted Bernama to convey the good news.

Hasliza, 41, said the care home also confirmed her father's identity through a copy of the identity card in her possession.

"According to the home, Abah remembers us... it is just that he does not know how to contact us," she said in tears of joy.

The search appeal was made by Khazimah Ali, the youngest daughter, and was also shared on the Malaysia-Singapore Border Crossers Facebook page which now has about 72,000 members.

The only photo of her father that she kept was also appended in the posting.

“Someone informed me early this afternoon via WhatsApp messaging about Abah's presence. I informed my eldest sister who immediately contacted the care centre," said Khazimah, 37.

The youngest daughter has expressed her hope to celebrate Aidilfitri for the first time with her father next year.

- Bernama