Five Malaysian siblings placed in orphanage after father’s death and mother’s departure

MALAYSIA: Five Malaysian siblings in Perak have been placed in an orphanage after their father died from injuries sustained in an accident, while their mother returned to Vietnam, leaving the children without parental care.

The children, aged between five and 16, also have an 18-year-old sister who works at a restaurant in Ipoh, earning about RM1,700 (approximately US$421) a month.

Relatives said her income was insufficient to support the household, which includes the five children and three elderly aunts.

Difficult Living Conditions

According to Sin Chew Daily, the siblings had been living in a cramped home, sharing a small, cluttered room with limited space.

Relatives said the family’s living conditions had been challenging even before their father’s death.

The children’s father worked as a fisherman, while their mother, a Vietnamese national, was a housewife.

Events Leading to the Father’s Death

Relatives told the Chinese daily that the couple had a verbal dispute in April 2024, after which the mother returned alone to Vietnam.

Later, during the seventh lunar month this year, the children’s father was riding his motorcycle to send his youngest child to school when he collapsed and was injured.

Although he received medical treatment and returned home to recuperate, he died suddenly on 9 Dec.

Following his death, the mother returned to Malaysia briefly for three days before leaving again for Vietnam, telling family members that she was unable to care for the children.

Tearful Farewell and Placement

With no immediate means to provide for the siblings, relatives decided to place them at Anshun Jaz Home, a welfare institution that offers shelter and education.

Family members were seen breaking down in tears as they packed the children’s belongings and prepared to send them off.

One of the children told Sin Chew Daily that although he was afraid of living in an orphanage, he was willing to start anew together with his siblings.

Welfare Organisation Steps In

The chairman of Jaz Home said the organisation agreed to take in five of the younger children to ensure they had stable housing, access to education, food, and adult care.

He stressed that the children needed a safe and supportive environment rather than sympathy, and called on the public and charitable groups to pay attention to families facing similar hardships.