Children of Malaysian couple accept Swedish court's decision

The children of the Malaysian couple, found guilty in Sweden for abusing them, have accepted the court's verdict with a heavy heart.

The Swedish Court ordered Azizul Raheem Awalluddin, 38, who is in Sweden as a Tourism Malaysia director, and his wife Shalwati Norshal, 46, to prison and pay damages to their four children.

Shalwati's sister, Shaleena, 43, a teacher, said the children were calm when she broke the news to them after the Maghrib prayers yesterday.

"Of course, they were sad, but they were courageous. They understood the situation and were thankful that their parents were given minimum sentences," she told reporters at her home in Kampung Wakaf Tok Wali, Melor here Saturday.

Azizul will serve a 10-month sentence for gross violation of the integrity of his eldest son and for assault of his daughter and second oldest son.

He was, however, acquitted of any offences against his youngest son.

The court also ordered Shalwati, 46, and Azizul, 38, to pay compensation to their children in the sum of 67,200 krona (RM33,900) and 36,400 krona (RM18,362) respectively.

Shaleena, who was given custody of the children, did not allow reporters to interview the children, Aisyah, 15, Ammar, 12, Adam, 11, and Arif, seven.

Shaleena said she and other family members often reminded the children that what had happened to their parents was not their faults, but rather the Swedish law.

"We do not want them to feel guilty because it will have a negative impact on their future.

"They are getting used to the local environment and are already speaking the Malay language," she said, adding that the children would stay with her until the situation was resolved.

She thanked the Malaysian Embassy in Stockholm for assisting her and the family.