1.  We have received media queries and public feedback on the MCYS Facebook page on concerns raised about a foster child.

2.  As a policy, MCYS does not comment on individual foster cases so as to protect the interests of the child. However, we have to make clarifications on this case, because confidential information on the child has regrettably been released in the public domain and some of the information was inaccurate and misleading.

MCYS Fostering Scheme
3.  The MCYS Fostering Scheme provides care for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Foster parents play an important role in providing alternative home-based care for infants and children who for various reasons are unable to remain with their own families. While the children are on the scheme, MCYS officers work with the natural parents or guardians on the longer term care plan.

4.  Fostering is not adoption. Foster parents do not have legal parental rights over the child. They are briefed on their responsibilities in meeting the foster child’s needs and in ensuring the confidentiality of the child’s background to protect the interest of the child. Foster parents sign an agreement to acknowledge the terms and conditions of the fostering arrangement. MCYS provides support for foster families, including a monthly allowance to cover the child’s expenses, training, advice and other assistance.

5. MCYS recognises that foster parents and their foster children develop bonds over time, and some find it difficult to part. We have put in place training for foster parents. We have also arranged for experienced foster parents to share with others on how to prepare for and cope with separation.

Case background
6.  In September 2008, this particular child was referred to MCYS by the police as his mother was serving a prison sentence. We consulted the child’s mother who agreed to place the child under foster care until her discharge from prison.

7.  The mother is a Malaysian and the child was born out of wedlock. In accordance with the laws of Singapore, the child is not a Singapore citizen by birth. His citizenship status follows that of his mother’s. Upon the mother’s discharge from prison, both she and her child would have to return to Malaysia.

8. In this case, the foster parents were told of this from the onset. Subsequently, they signed an agreement indicating they understood that the child would not be placed out for adoption in Singapore, and that all information pertaining to the child should be kept confidential. They also agreed to cooperate with MCYS on the care plan for the child. At the same time, we have been liaising with the Malaysian authorities to ensure that the welfare needs of the child will continue to be met in Malaysia upon their return.

9.  MCYS officers had met with the foster parents throughout the time the child was in their care. In total, we had made contact with the foster family on 13 visits and in more than 20 phone calls over the past one year to ensure that the child was doing well and to prepare them for the return of the child to his natural mother. These meetings intensified as the time drew near for the child to return with his mother to Malaysia.

10. On the agreed date and time, the foster parents did not release the child. Recognising the feelings of the foster parents, MCYS officers gave the foster family more time. We continued to engage them. They eventually agreed to cooperate, and the child has since returned to Malaysia. At no point was physical force used to remove the child from the foster parents.

11. The mother has the parental rights to the child. Prior to her return to Malaysia, the mother had indicated her desire to continue caring for her child. The Malaysian Social Welfare Department will work with the mother on the care arrangements for the child. As part of child welfare procedures, the Malaysian Social Welfare Department has applied for a court order to place the child temporarily in a children’s home pending further arrangements. This will help ensure that the child’s welfare is looked into and protected. In the meantime, the mother has access to the child.

12. MCYS recognises the challenges faced by foster parents and the children under their care. We will continue to support foster parents and to protect the interests of the children.



TOC is independently gathering more facts on this case. We will bring our readers more information soon.

You may support the petition to ‘Help baby Mohamed Isaac and his foster family HERE.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

“恐有损总理形象” 《砂拉越报告》非议总理律师团对梁实轩穷追猛打

得理不饶人?早前,时评人梁实轩因误传一篇假新闻惹祸,但即使已经撤下文章并作出道歉,总理的律师团队仍坚决对后者提告,此举亦迎来国际爆料网站《砂拉越报告》的非议。 梁实轩是在11月初,分享了誌期11月5日的State Times Review(STR)文章,标题为《李显龙成为一马公司弊案主要调查对象》。 有关文章指《砂拉越报告》主编克莱尔,针对一马弊案接受访谈,但较后《砂》已澄清有关文章内容不实,要求STR纠正。 故此,梁实轩本身也是假新闻的受害人,在不知情情况下误传失实报导。梁实轩也收到资讯与媒体发展局(IMDA)来函,要求他在在六小时内撤下有关文章,梁实轩也照做无误,并作出道歉。 《砂拉越报告》访问了梁实轩,后者告诉《砂》,他自愿删除有关失实贴文,也承认文章内容不实,但即使这么做,还是被总理律师团队诉诸法律行动,令他感到惊讶。 《砂》形容,如今梁实轩的处境如处在夹缝中进退维谷,无论庭外和解或自我辩护,对他都不利,总理的律师团队似乎要索讨巨额赔偿。 何以要对已道歉的普通老百姓穷追猛打? 对此,《砂》质疑既然资媒局已经对梁实轩采取严厉行动,总理的律师团队还要对这名普通新加坡百姓,采取强硬手段对付? 《砂》质问,梁实轩和他人一样,被假新闻误导,也为此删除贴文并道歉,但何以他还是成了“新加坡最有权势者”的眼中钉,被施以“毁灭性的报复”。 不利总理在民间形象…

Amos Yee pleads not guilty, in good spirits

After an almost two-hour delay in the morning, the trial of 16-year…

Singapore enters recession as economy shrinks by 41.2% in Q2

Singapore’s economy contracted by 41.2 per cent in the second quarter from…