GEORGE TOWN: A seven-year-old girl, who is embroiled in a custody dispute, received a belated birthday gifts and snacks from her father and other paternal family members outside the High Court here.
It was a touching scene when the girl received her favourite snacks – chocolates and potato chips – from her father Tan Cheow Hong, 36, who is a marketing assistant manager.
Yesterday was the first time father and daughter had met each other since Nov 8 when the girl was taken away by her mother Fatimah Fong Abdullah @ Fong Mee Hui, 28, from a school in Butterworth in the presence of police and officials from the Islamic Affairs Department.
Tan allowed Fatimah, who embraced Islam on Aug 13, to take the child after she produced an ex-parte order from a Syariah Lower Court in Hulu Langat, Selangor.
The couple, who married on Feb 14, 2001, had separated in 2007. The girl had been under Tan’s care until Nov 8.
The girl, who turned seven on Nov 20, was initially shy and kept holding tightly to her mother’s hand when approached by her father yesterday.
It took her a while before she shed tears and gave her father a hug.
She also received many belated birthday gifts from her grandmother, aunt and cousins.
The aunt also presented her with a schoolbag for coming out top in her class.
On Nov 24, Tan filed an originating summons for interim custody of the child.
He named Fatimah, who is in the process of filing for a divorce in the Syariah Court, as defendant.
The child was in the High Court yesterday to be interviewed by Justice Yaacob Md Sam who had decided to do so on Dec 20 after hearing submissions in the summons filed by Tan.
The judge had said he would first speak to the girl before deciding on interim custody. He fixed Jan 4 for the decision.
Yesterday, Justice Yaacob spent nearly one hour interviewing the girl in chambers.
More news on: http://thestar.com.my/
Credits to and source taken from: http://thestar.com.my/
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