HELP BABY MOHAMED ISAAC AND HIS FOSTER FAMILY

Since 2004 we have been shortlisted as foster parents under the Ministry of Community Development (MCYS) Child Protection Service. Since then we have had the privilege and pleasure of being foster parents to 3 children from diverse backgrounds. Fostering comes with its challenges but we must say that almost all the children who have been under our care have brought joy and fulfilment into our lives. This includes our three children. It is a family experience for us as the care and love given to the children are intended for them to feel a part of the family. Our intention is that they do not feel left out or segregated.

Then came baby Mohamed Isaac. MCYS called us (Mdm Asmah, to be specific) one day and asked Mdm Asmah to give foster care to the baby who had been crying incessantly at the police station. The baby adjusted immediately and rather comfortably into Mdm Asmah arms and almost instantaneously stopped crying. From that day till now, Mohamed Isaac has been in our care. As he came into our lives as a 10 month old infant, we are literally the only family he knows. We have been taking care of Mohamed Isaac as if he were our own. Our children and us treat Mohamed Isaac nothing less than one of us. This applies to our whole extended family and friends too.

For a little background on Mohamed Isaac, we were told by MCYS that both of Mohamed Isaac biological Malaysian mother and Singaporean father have been convicted and sent to prison for different offences.

Ironically, Mohamed Isaac looks like one of us. He is definitely not out of place when he is with our family. Our children care, teach, play and love Mohamed Isaac like a brother. He is well taken care of in all aspects. More importantly, Mohamed Isaac is well-loved and well-adjusted. We are Mama and Baba to him. He knows no other mother, father, sibling, auntie, uncle, and so forth. He sleeps on our bed, again, just like our children did when they were babies. We even throw birthday bashes for him with family and friends. Mohamed Isaac is truly one of us.

We know that in Singapore, in matters involving children, the child best interest is paramount. The need for stability in Mohamed Isaac life and the preservation of the bonds with the only family he knows is the most important consideration. That being the case, we sincerely feel that where Mohamed Isaac is concerned, we are certainly the best people to take care and raise Mohamed Isaac. It will mean no disruption in his young and delicate life. Imagine the unnecessary trauma of this child being forcibly taken from the only family he knows into a home with strangers, a new set of parents and relatives. Would that be in the best interest of Mohamed Isaac?

With regards to the issue of Mohamed Isaac nationality, we honestly do not see the problem for Singapore. He was classified as stateless for the past 3 years. This is not right. He was born in Singapore on 11th November 2007 in KK Women and Children Hospital. His biological father is also Singaporean. Should not Mohd Isaac be considered for Singapore citizenship? This we think should be the case whether it be as of right, out of compassion or out of necessity since the welfare of an innocent child hangs in the balance. Mohamed Isaac should not be denied the opportunity of being raised in a decent and loving home, and our home is simply waiting to have him.

After the biological mother has been released from prison in November 2010, MCYS started arranging for Mohamed Isaac to be registered as a Malaysian citizen (even though he was born in Singapore to a Singaporean father) so that Mohd Isaac will be returned to his mother. Although the biological mother does not want Mohamed Isaac, he will nevertheless be given to her for her to carry across the border into Malaysia. Thereafter, he can go over the border to the Social Welfare Department where Mohamed Isaac will be placed in an orphanage. The MCYS officer is literally being quoted in this statement. Go over? Is this reasonable and acceptable? Is this treating the best interest of Mohamed Isaac paramount? What more is needed to prove that the child should not be sent to an orphanage home, where his future is as uncertain as can be?

Another issue of contention is the conduct of this matter by MCYS officers. We have always expressed our desire clearly to MCYS that we wish to adopt Mohamed Isaac, if possible. On 12th November 2010, Assistant Manager of Child Protection Service of MCYS paid us a visit at our home. During this visit, MCYS' Officer informed us that Mohamed Isaac biological mother, has informed MCYS that she does not want to keep Mohamed Isaac and has no objections to him being given up for adoption. We were also informed that especially since the mother does not want Mohamed Isaac and has approved his adoption, we will stand a very good chance of being able to adopt him. In fact, the MCYS officer told us that we will be given first priority if Mohamed Isaac is to be given up for adoption. We were elated and most hopeful.

However, we have had to endure the most bitter experience in our sweet and fulfilling opportunity to undertake the care of a child in need. And willing to take the extra step to officially adopt and integrate him into our lives. Alas, the MCYS officers / councilors were cold, arrogant, nasty, lacked decorum and professionalism in their liaisons with us and our family. When we escalated the matter on 8th December 2010 to the responsible authorities and notable community representatives such as Emeritus SM Goh Chok Tong, former Minister Mr George Yeo (MFA) and former Senior Minister of State Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed (MFA), the MCYS' officers became threatening and expressed their insistence on taking the child away after receiving the letter from MFA to MCYS.

MCYS officers had informed us on 29th June 2011 at 11am that they were going to take Mohamed Isaac away on 30th June 2011 at 6am and repatriate him. After our urgent appeal to Emeritus SM Goh Chok Tong, he agreed to meet with us on 29th June 2011 at 11.30pm and he arranged for a temporary stay of all actions against the repatriation of Mohamed Isaac. Although MCYS officers came on 30th June 2011 at 6am for Mohamed Isaac, we were instructed by ESM Goh personal assistant (who on the phone with us) not to handover Mohamed Isaac. We were again informed on 1st July 2011 at 9.20am that we were to handover Mohamed Isaac at 10.30am. We therefore wrote to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong office. We would never think the day will come when an adoption offer will be rejected, especially to a family who has a proven track record of fostering children for many years prior to this.

We have no doubt whatsoever that in the best interest of Mohamed Isaac, with Mohamed Isaac welfare is the paramount consideration, we are certainly the best people to raise him. Our, entire family, love for Mohamed Isaac is immense and we have built a strong and sincere bond with the child. On 1st July 2011 at 2.30pm, Mohamed Isaac was taken away from his foster family that are willing to adopt him, whom we have been caring for without a complaint. He was repatriated back in a most heartless manner. Your voice is still in our head asking us for help because you know we were always there battling to keep you safe but we are really sorry baby Mohamed Isaac this time, we can't do anything when you're helpless, screaming, struggling and telling us to take you with us and all we can do just stand there and watch you leave.

Didi Ali