JOHOR BARU: Six-year-old Albertine Leo Jia Hui, who was kidnapped on July 20, is afraid to be alone, following her recent ordeal.
Her mother, Leo Qieo Xin, 37, told state Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon this, when he visited them at a relative's house here, about 1pm yesterday.
Ling said the child was happy to be home with her family.
"Yesterday, I visited Albertine and her family, and conveyed wishes from Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, and gave her a present to cheer her up.
"Even though she looks cheerful, her mother told us that she is afraid when she is alone," said Ling, when contacted today.
Ling visited the family together with Iskandar Puteri City councillor Tan Hiang Kee, and the Menteri Besar's special officer, Chua Jian Boon.
He said the state government was ready to help the child and her family, including by providing counselling.
He added, the child is expected to undergo a health screening at Hospital Sultanah Aminah here.
"Currently, Albertine and her family are still in the city to help with the probe into the case, until the investigation papers are completed.
"Her mother was moved by the support from members of the public during Albertine's disappearance, and thanked everyone, including the Johor police and the menteri besar, for their concern," he added.
On July 20, Albertine was allegedly abducted at the Eco Galleria shopping mall in Iskandar Puteri. She was successfully rescued by police at a hotel in Batang Kali, Selangor, on Tuesday, 56 hours after her disappearance.
A total of five suspects – three men and two women aged between 28 and 55 years old – have been detained since last Monday to assist in investigations.