Case in Sweden 'blow out of proportion'
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A source close to the Malaysian couple that was arrested in Sweden for allegedly hitting their child, says the case in question had been blown out of proportion.
According to the couple’s eldest daughter Aisyah, 14, her brother had only been smacked lightly near the forearm, not beaten heavily as reported.
“If anything, the scolding upset him more than the smack,” the source told The Star.
On December 18, Tourism Malaysia director in Stockholm Azizul Raheem Awalludin and his wife Shalwati Nurshal, a teacher, were arrested for disciplining their son. Their four children aged 14, 12, 11 and seven have since been placed with a non-Muslim foster family appointed by the Swedish authorities.
The source said all four siblings have pleasant personalities.
“I like having them around my house when they come back for holidays. This case has been blown out of proportion,” he added.
He described Azizul and Shalwati as “very loving people”.
“As a family, they like to joke and communicate well with one another. Shalwati is not an abusive person at all. Being a teacher, she is firm but also caring.
“I find it strange that Azizul is detained even though he was absent when the smacking occured. He was at work, and yet why was he incarcerated?” the source asked.
It was reported that Wisma Putra representatives had been granted access to the children.
Another source close to the couple said the Malaysian embassy officials in Stockholm had been excellent in providing support for the family to resolve the matter.
“A few family members were originally going to go there again to visit the children. However, today [yesterday] we received a clarification from the Swedish authorities that only family members would be allowed access to the children once investigation is completed,” the source said.
The source added that he was happy with the assistance provided by the embassy, but the Swedish authorities were slow in moving the case forward.
