ISKANDAR PUTERI: Since her six-year-old daughter went missing on Saturday, Leo Qieo Xin has not left the shopping mall where her little girl was last seen.
The 37-year-old is holding onto hope – and her mobile phone – that she will get positive updates from the police about her daughter Albertine Leo Jia Hui’s whereabouts.
To her, every call – either from the police or members of the public – is crucial as it could provide vital information needed to find her daughter.
However, Qieo Xin is frustrated by the flurry of false information and rumours being spread on social media about Albertine’s disappearance.
“There is just too much inaccurate information and so-called sightings being posted on social media.
“This is not helpful as spreading false information could affect the chances of my daughter being found.
“I know the police are trying to find her in the shortest possible time, but the timeframe keeps getting stretched out.
“Please stop spreading false information,” she said when met at Eco Galleria here yesterday.
Earlier, there were social media posts about the girl allegedly seen at the Johor Baru Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex, sparking concerns that she might have been taken overseas.
There was also a claim online by a delivery rider that he had spotted a woman dressed in Japanese traditional clothing allegedly slapping the girl before taking her away.
The visibly upset mother added that she was “worried sick” about her missing daughter and hoped she would be found soon.
The girl was reported missing on Saturday during the Bon Odori Japanese festival at Eco Galleria, which was attended by a large crowd.
Albertine is the third child among four siblings.
Qieo Xin, who was operating a booth at the festival, was busy tending to customers before noticing that Albertine had gone missing around 8.30pm.
The girl, who is about 120cm tall with long hair, was last seen wearing a white Mickey Mouse T-shirt.
Qieo Xin, who is from Kluang, came to Johor Baru for a few days to participate in the festival where she sold drinks.
Albertine was playing near the stall before she went missing.
“I have not left the area since my girl went missing and I have not slept either. I just want her back safely,” she said.
While being interviewed by the media, she was seen answering calls on her mobile phone, which was connected to a power bank.
Canine assistance: Police holding a plastic bag containing Albertine’s belongings for the sniffer dogs to track the missing girl at the area around Eco Galleria in Iskandar Puteri, Johor.
She said she had not received any calls demanding ransom.
Qieo Xin was accompanied by some relatives as she waited for the latest updates from the police.
Plainclothes policemen have been patrolling the area since the incident occurred.
Police sniffer dogs were also brought in to search for information that could lead to finding the girl.
Meanwhile, Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said police were intensifying efforts to locate the victim and would provide updates soon.
State government officials and local residents have also appealed to the public to help look for the missing girl.
Among them are Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Pekan Nanas assemblyman Tan Eng Meng and Skudai assemblyman Marina Ibrahim.
On Sunday, Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon also went to the scene, where he spoke to Qieo Xin as well as Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan.
Those with information about the missing girl are advised to contact Inspector Ridzuan Abd Hadi at 017-705 1097, the Iskandar Puteri police headquarters hotline 019-279 2095 or head to the nearest police station.
