KUCHING: “We are worried for your safety, please return home safely.”
This heartfelt plea comes from the family of 23-year-old Sarawakian Janet Ng Wee Joo, whose whereabouts are currently unknown after she initially claimed she was travelling to Kuala Lumpur for work.
Fearing for her safety, the family had reached out to Sarawak United People Party (SUPP) Public Complaints Bureau chief Milton Foo for assistance.
Foo said the case initially appeared to be a missing person’s case as Janet’s family had lost contact with her since Dec 30. However, they received a call from her on Friday night, during which she assured them that she was safe.
He said according to Janet’s 20-year-old brother, Alan Ng Wee Kheng, she informed him and their 54-year-old father, Mr Ng on Dec 29 that she was leaving for Kuala Lumpur to work at a supermarket there.
“The next morning, Janet’s brother drove her to the airport. She later contacted him upon arriving in Kuala. However, feeling something was not right and after being questioned, Janet admitted she was actually heading to Cambodia.
“Despite warnings from her family about potential job scams, and urging her to be careful, she proceeded to leave the country.
“Ever since Dec 30, the family has lost contact with Janet. The same evening, her brother lodged a police report at 9.30 pm. Then, last night (Jan 3) call was the first time the family had heard from her since Dec 30,” he said in a press conference at SUPP headquarters on Saturday, which was also attended by two of Janet’s aunties.
Foo added that the call was made from a number believed to be registered in Iran.
“The conversation lasted about two minutes. Janet assured her brother she was safe but could not speak much. She also said she would send money home and that she will contact the family once a week.
“According to the brother, he feels that her sister may be in the company of others,” he said.
Foo added the dilemma now is that Janet’s exact location remains unknown, as the Iran-registered number could have been used to make the call from any country.
“This is the first time I’ve encountered such a case… Since Janet is already a grown up, we cannot stop her from going to Kuala Lumpur or other places to work.
“But when she informed them that she was leaving for Cambodia, her family started to get worried and is pleading her to return home.
“The police report filed by the brother on Dec 30 aimed to alert authorities. Because in the police report, it reported ‘going to Cambodia the next morning (Dec 31)’
“With the police report lodged, the brother was hoping it might prevent her sister from leaving Malaysia. But this is the freedom of movement. We cannot stop people from moving around,” he said.
Foo added he had advised the family to file a supplementary police report with the new information, including the Iran-registered phone number, and this would enable the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with immigration and foreign embassies to track her whereabouts.
When asked, Foo mentioned that Janet previously worked at a local supermarket in Kuching and is currently not in any relationship.
Meanwhile, based on the police report, Alan said on Dec 30, at 8.30 pm, he received a brief message via Instagram from her sister, Janet, who was then in Kuala Lumpur.
Janet had informed her brother that her passport had been kept by her employer and that she would be travelling to Cambodia the following morning.
Later, Foo also urged anyone with information about Janet’s whereabouts to contact the SUPP Public Complaints Bureau or report to the nearest police station.
