Wednesday August 1, 2012

Some hope for little Richard to meet parents

PETALING JAYA: Five-year-old Richard, who was abandoned at his babysitter’s home when he was just 18 months old may soon know who his biological parents are.

MCA Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said the department received a call from someone claiming to have information about the boy’s biological father.

Chong said he would be setting up a meeting with the caller soon and hoped it would help him find Richard’s parents.

“He did not want to give me information over the phone and said he would visit me at my office,” Chong said.

Chong had appealed through the media on Monday for those with information about Richard’s biological parents to come forward as it would help the boy obtain citizenship and get adopted.

Richard, who is currently under the care of the Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, has no details on his birth certificate apart from his first name, place and date of birth, and gender.

Chong said calls had been flooding in with couples expressing interest to adopt Richard after his plight was highlighted by the media.

“I am touched by the kindness of those who want to give Richard a home and a family. However, the courts and Ti-Ratana have the final say,’’ he said.

The department’s legal adviser, James Ee Kah Fuk, said Richard’s unknown citizenship was the biggest hurdle in providing him a normal life as it would cause problems as the boy grows up.

Anyone with information on Richard’s parents or their whereabouts can contact MCA Public Services and Complaints Department at 03-2203 3888.

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