SEPANG: Joy was etched on the face of Yeo Su Hung, 46, whom after more than a year, was finally reunited with her husband, albeit briefly.
Her husband, Chia Kee Chan, 49, is currently serving time at a prison near Medan. He was caught in February last year for fishing illegally in Indonesian waters and was sentenced to two years and four months’ jail.
Yeo said she was relieved at finally being able to meet Chia.
“Even though our meeting only lasted half an hour, I'm happy and blessed that I was able to meet and speak to him after so long,” she said.
She said she cried every day thinking of her husband’s fate.
“However, I’m glad that he seems to be keeping well there. He also shared his experience of being a cook at the prison, which is near Labuhan Deli in Medan.
“I really hope he will be freed and be able to come home to celebrate Chinese New Year with us," she said.
Yeo was speaking to reporters at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) today, where she had arrived from Indonesia. She was accompanied by her 15-year-old son, Ming Siang.
Yeo, a mother-of-four from Sekinchan, said she was grateful to Sungai Besar MP Budiman Mohd Zohdi for helping to arrange the meeting.
Budiman, meanwhile, said he arranged the meeting after Yeo had sought his help.
The Indonesian government recently agreed to free Malaysian fishermen imprisoned in the republic.
Budiman said Chia was overjoyed at meeting his wife and son, and had expressed hope that he would be able to come home soon as his mother's health is deteriorating.
“Chia also expressed his deepest gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his diplomatic approach with the Indonesian government on the matter,” he added.
Last month, Malaysia and Indonesia agreed to release all fishermen arrested by either country for trespassing in each other’s waters.
The understanding was reached between Najib and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the 12th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Leaders’ Consultation in Kuching.
Translated from Harian Metro