Rohana's story spreads to Indonesia, invites positive comments

JAKARTA: The story of Rohana Abdullah, the daughter of an Indonesian worker but raised by a Malaysian woman of a different race, has spread on various media platforms and has gained the sympathy of the Indonesian community.

This is especially so when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob paid immediate attention by contacting Rohana and promising to help with managing the documentation regarding her citizenship status.

The Indonesian chapter of the Malaysian-Indonesian Journalists Association (ISWAMI) fully supports the prime minister's initiative, which is also part of efforts to further strengthen Malaysia-Indonesia relations, notably in the universal issue of humanity.

"I am touched by Rohana's story and really appreciate the efforts of the Prime Minister and the Malaysian government when they can fully help Rohana until she gets her status for sure," said ISWAMI Indonesia's chief, Asro Kamal Rokan.

ISWAMI Indonesia also praised Chee Hoi Lan, 83, a kindergarten teacher where Rohana's mother works as a cleaner, for taking care of Rohana like her own child to this day.

"This is a humanitarian issue that is our common concern," Asro told Bernama today when asked to comment on the Harian Metro newspaper report which revealed the dilemma faced by Rohana.

Rohana was a two-month-old baby when her mother left her 22 years ago in a kindergarten located in Kuala Lumpur because the latter had to return to her hometown in Indonesia.

Chee took care of all of Rohana's needs with her own savings, including sending her to 'Fardu Ain' (religious) classes to ensure that she is taken care of as a Muslim.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said a thorough investigation will be done before an identification document is given to Rohana.

Rohana's story also invited many positive comments from Indonesians, including part-time media practitioner in Jakarta, David Andreas, who stated that it was a touching one.

"It should be an example...differences are not an obstacle for anyone to do good and unite," he said, hoping Chee's kindness will forever be remembered and for Rohana to be reunited with her mother as a result of the viral news across the republic.

"Overwhelmed to read this story; Rohana should be grateful to have a kind adoptive mother," said administrative clerk Herning Rini. "Hopefully, the matter of status (citizenship) and finding the birth mother will be made easier."

-- BERNAMA