Toll-free Hotline: 1-800-88-Lini or 1-800-88-5464
News Update:
Go check out Hard-T’s blog to see Nini’s photo without her head tilted. I gotta say, he and his pals did a good job with it. Stay glued as they are working on more photofits of what she might look like two weeks later. It’s worth a shot!
New Straits Times updated headlines “Sharlinie’s appearance may have changed, say police” based on the Bernama report. Now what they should do is draw up some forensic artist impressions of what she could look like with a boyish haircut and clothes that might help people to find her.
Okay, now I get it! I just watched TV3, RTM1 and NTV7 prime time news at 8pm and came to this conclusion. ACP Arjunaidy was responding to a question from the press on Sharlinie’s appearance. He merely agreed to the prompting from the press that indeed her appearance could change in two weeks. No wonder there was no mention of doing photofits of what she could look like. Maybe it never even occured to the police to come up with some. Think seriously about this suggestion Tuan!
This New Straits Times report here was focussed more on the bomohs and the obvious fact that a bomoh’s evidence would not be admissable in court. Maybe I am dense but what relevance does that have on finding Sharlinie? Seems like jumping the gun by assuming that the bomoh’s evidence can help to convict the perpetrators. Again, only when caught! Let me ponder that perplexing thought for a moment? Rocket science it is not! I thought the whole idea for the bomohs was to help find Nini. Convicting the perps is a whole different ballgame altogther and more for the CSI-types to deal with.
My man Hard-T, whom I just added to the Bloggers for Nurin Alert honour roll for his support of this blogger-led NURIN Alert initiative, dropped his first comment today to alert me about this Bernama report ”Sharlinie’s Appearance May Have Changed, Say Police“. Thanks bro, every bit counts. If the Police picked up that suggestion from the commentors on my blog and on Tok Mommy’s blog, I am glad. Bloggers can be a force to be reckoned with when it comes to spreading information. We are here to help and as Hard-T says in his blog “I can’t do this alone, I need your help”. Let’s give our Men in Blue some blogging help! Keep those suggestions coming guys and gals! We need to find Nini and bring her home.
The Bernama article says:
The Two weeks after five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar was reported missing, her appearance may have changed.This possibility was based on other missing children who were later found, Petaling Jaya OCPD ACP Arjunaidi Mohamad told reporters Wednesday.Another five-year-old — Muhammad Nazrin Shamsul Ghazali or Yin — had his head shaved by a Myanmar couple who took care of him for 15 days before returning the boy to his family in April last year.
In September, the parents of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, eight, could not identify their daughter’s body because her hair had been cut short besides other changes in her appearance. Sharlinie was abducted while playing with her elder sister at a playground near their house in Taman Medan on Jan 9. Arjunaidi said the police were still trying to find Sharlinie including by making house-to-house checks and so far, over 3,000 houses in Petaling Jaya had been screened since the move began on Monday.”We will try to inspect 1,000 houses a day. If we are suspicious of a house that we have gone into, we will make another visit,” he said.The house-to-house checks involved the police’s General Operatons Force and covered all housing areas and foreign workers quarters, Arjunaidi said. A police helicopter was also put on standby to help trace locations which which could give leads to the police in the investigation, he added. Asked whether the police or Sharlinie’s parents still received false information through phone calls and text messages, he said: “Not anymore, but we still receive many information from the public who have taken part in the search effort.”
Somehow, stories of the mysterious world of bomohs sound better when written in Bahasa Malaysia. This Harian Metro report here makes me feel a little better about this whole bomoh affair. If they can find her, we would all be grateful indeed!:
Nasir berkata, dia dan ahli Ikatan Bomoh Negara 11 Serangkai lain yakin Linie akan dipulangkan kepada keluarganya seminggu lagi dalam keadaan selamat. Menurutnya, melalui firasat, kanak-kanak terbabit dikatakan berada di tingkat atas sebuah rumah flet yang terletak kira-kira lima kilometer (km) dari rumahnya. “Penculik yang mengambilnya kini bertelagah sesama sendiri sama ada mahu memulangkan kanak-kanak terbabit ke pangkuan keluarganya. “Mereka mengambil Linie untuk mencuba ilmu hitam yang dipelajari dan tiada tujuan lain… Insya-Allah dia (Linie) akan dipulangkan dalam tempoh seminggu,” katanya.
Menurutnya, ketika melarikan Linie, penculik menggunakan ilmu hitam yang membuatkan jeritan kanak-kanak terbabit tidak didengari sesiapa. “Kita hanya membantu dan cuba menolong keluarga berkenaan dengan berdoa meminta bantuan daripada Tuhan dan berharap Linie dipulangkan segera,” katanya yang mengakui ini adalah kali pertama kumpulan berkenaan melakukan upacara mencari kanak-kanak hilang. Kumpulan Ikatan Bomoh Negara 11 Serangkai yang ditubuhkan 67 tahun lalu datang dari serata pelosok tanah air antaranya dari Perak, Pulau Pinang, Johor dan Kedah, memberi bantuan secara percuma serta tidak mengenakan sebarang kos bagi membantu mencari kanak-kanak terbabit secara tradisional.
Just as I was despairing about any good news and was rather sarcastic in my comments in response to Munira about today’s New Straits Times Editorial “Watch Your Children” for obfuscating the role of parents in ensuring their children’s safety, some light shines in the media horizon. (Read on!) I felt the pontificating really does nothing to solve the situation except protect those in power from being unduly criticised? Limited by lesser intellect than those mighty pen weilders of the nation’s oldest English newspaper (if you don’t count Malay Mail), I was feeling pretty obtuse as I don’t get the writer’s point at all, especially this portion here!:
…This then leads to yet more knee-jerk reactions in blaming the government, law enforcers and the entire system for these failings. It surely bears repeating, then, that the first and foremost responsibility for child safety and welfare lies with none other than their parents. The anguish of every family traumatised by such experiences must lead to the realisation and awareness of all parents of the dangers facing their youngsters out there in public spaces. Blaming everything and everyone else for not coming up with solutions should not absolve those who reside where the problem begins.
And then I read Zainul Arifin, one of my favourite writers in NST especially during his ‘Letter from New York’ days, and his take on parental feelings about the whole issue of child safety. Writing in plain English that clearly shows how he dotes on his precious six-year-old daughter, in “ ZAINUL ARIFIN: Dangers prey on sweet innocence” he writes:
“….When stories of missing children became a common feature in the newspapers, we decided not to hide from her details of the dangers that are lurking out there. My wife and I told her of bad men and women who would take away children and do nasty things to them. We exaggerated a little, of course, but we believed we were entitled to do so. It is of course important to be vigilant, and all parents would have stories of near misses and fortunate turn of events. We know that luck, or divine intervention for those so inclined, have thus far made it possible for many of us to have our children unscathed and unharmed despite misadventures in the kitchen, bathroom, park and the mall, when a simple twist of fate would have brought about unthinkable horror.
Thus, as much as some of us would be quick to judge the unfortunate guardians, we should all remember that safety is a kind of a “best effort compromise”. We must resist the temptation to judge, and instead work towards something positive. The citizen-initiated Nurin (Nationwide Urgent Response Information Network) to alert the media and public in the event of missing kids is one such example. I believe as much as we are vigilant as we can be, we are but a step away from making headlines, since bad luck can likely descend on some even as it lets the rest to fortunately escape.”
Well said bro! You are still the best writer around!
The Star report “Sharlinie alive and will be found, predicts bomohs” gives the following details about yesterday’s bomoh fest:
“The home of five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar, who has been missing for two weeks, was abuzz with activity yesterday. The family invited about 50 bomohs and their followers to perform prayers and conduct rituals at the home. Dressed in black with most of them wearing songkok, the bomohs arrived at 9.45am at the double-storey terrace home in PJS2, Taman Medan, and got down to work right away. There was some relief for the parents Mohd Nashar Mat Hussain and Suraya Ahmad. The bomohs were unanimous in saying that Sharlinie, who was reported missing on Jan 9, was alive and would be found within a week. One of the bomohs, Nasir Mahmud, claimed that Sharlinie was being held captive in a flat nearby. “I believe that two men and one woman are involved in the kidnapping (of Sharlinie). “The kidnappers wanted to test their black magic on her,” said Nasir, who also believed that the kidnappers used black magic to kidnap Sharlinie. After the prayers, the group proceeded to the playground where Sharlinie was last seen. The followers of the bomohs circled the playground while Sharlinie’s family knelt on a red cloth and prayed for her safe return. Sharlinie’s sister, Sharliena was asked to call out to her sister while her parents held a pigeon in a cage which was later released. A coconut was also cracked. “Releasing the pigeon is symbolic of the release of Sharlinie by her captors. Cracking the coconut is akin to softening the captor’s heart,” said Nasir. “From my divination, the kidnappers are arguing among themselves. Two of them want to return Sharlinie,” said Nasir. After the rituals, Nashar said: “I’m confident my daughter will return safely in less than a week as predicted.”
New Straits Time confidently reports here:
“The parents of Sharlinie Mohd Nashar expect her to return within a week. Her father said the leader of a group of 200 bomoh had told him this after a series of rituals at their home and at a playground yesterday. Mohd Nashar Mat Husin said the family believed that the prediction about Sharlinie, or Linie, would come true. “I believe my daughter is alive. The only thing that concerns me is that she could have an asthma attack if she did not eat properly.” Nashar said he had taken unpaid leave since his daughter’s disappearance as he could not concentrate on his work. He said police had told him that his 8-year-old daughter Sharliena would not have to come to the federal police headquarters to help in the investigations. Police recorded a statement from Sharliena on Friday. The ceremony yesterday was conducted by members of Ikatan Bomoh Negara 11 Serangkai Ahli Jemaah Sabillah Pengamal Perubatan Tradisional from eight states. Selangor Sabillah Pilgrim president Nasir Mahmud said the prayers had revealed that Sharlinie had been hidden in a flat within a 5km radius of her home. Nasir said: “Linie will be united with her family in a week.” He arrived at Nashar’s home in Lorong PJS2C/11N at 9.45am. At 10am, they and members of Linie’s family walked from the house to a playground where Linie was last seen. A dove was released after which the group returned to Linie’s home.”
I guess I am not too sure the outcome of these rituals but if they succeed, it will be boom time for the bomoh business. On the other hand, with such intense publicity, failure could ruin their reputation. Would they seek this sort of publicity at the risk of ridicule? I am not sure how to react because there are some bomohs who practice the dark arts that are contrary to Islamic beliefs while some are in essence spiritual healers that rely on verses of the Koran and correct teachings of the Prophet to exorcise demons from the possessed. But as in any good marketing strategy, many of their rituals are plainly to put on a good show that will satisfy the audience and sell a lot of good medicine, so to speak. Putting aside scientific fact and methods, I really am unsure whether this will work or even whether we are right in believing in such methods? As I am no expert in the supernatural and of a sceptical sort when evidence is surreal, this time I am leaving it to the readers own intepretation. Only word of caution – ultimately Allah decides.
Okay. I can’t think of anything to say this time, but I think it’s pretty much clear where I stand.
I also remember reading somewhere (article written by one of them dodgy news co that would report anything, hint hint) during Nurin’s abduction, a bomoh that was consulted claimed that an orang bunian had taken her away because he was “curious by her”.
Of course we all know the horrid truth at the outcome.
No offense.
Ahhh, NST has published another interesting and thought-provoking editorial today:
For more: Editorial: Watch your children
I remember participating in an interesting discussion, organised by the Howard League students, that harsh punishments, permananet incarcerations and such are not always the answer. It’s all very interesting. I think the Nurin Jazlin blog once posted one article something along the same vein a couple of months ago, and I thought it was pretty interesting. Of course, a lot of people in our society would disagree, especially the pro Hudud law.
But I think it also depends on the severity of the crime.
p/s: Could you remove the comment I posted for the second time above? Thanks.
Lets hope this will have a good ending…Time is of the essence.
Munira, I knew that orang bunian theory would crop up somewhere, hehheheh!! I had not plagiarized the idea from those dodgy newspapers but actually came up with the plot in my previous post comment box all by myself. I am so impressed with my geniusness that I am planning to sell the brilliant plot to Gerak Khas, the drama!
Jokes aside (couldn’t help myself ‘cos it’s just draining to go day after day with no news of Nini’s rescue), my befuddled thoughts have been provoked by this portion of that pontifical passage in NST:
Agree totally with the writer but although I assume he/she means well, the message does not take into account situations when children are abducted even in their own homes while under the care of parents! What do we do then? More pontificating and sermonising? I am not sure what this particularly vague statement means though:
What did the writer mean by this? What ill considered responses? Please explain Mr writer!
At any rate, I believe Datuk Zaman Khan, the former Director General of Prisons, has advocated rehabilitation to be administered together with denial of liberty. But then again, there are people who think the law is too soft on prisoners if we do it this way. The pro-hudud advocates believe in public flogging but the pro-human rights think this is inhuman. Age old argument there that i am not equipped to get into.
(BTW, how did you put those lovely quote marks and indents in your comment? Now you my blog consultant!)I figured it out myself. Tembam good girl!Hi Nightwing, Amen to that! The parents must be getting really desperate now. My heart goes out to them.
Keep well bro!
Bomoh’s are now in eh! Im not much of a bomoh fan but i sure hope they are right… also..i hope the police dont site on their laurels just because of this and start publishing more photo fits with Nini with different hair do’s/clothes ect…
At once glance she looks like every other child in the taman with current pic!
Yeah, imagine what those unfamiliar with bomohs must be thinking. Actually bomohs need a re-branding strategy (my operative word lately) as they have always been associated with such sinister doings in dramas like “Susuk”. Imagine if they succeed in bringing Nini home? Marketing coup of the century Abinesh. I’m sure all those image consultants and business development consultants will be knocking on bomoh’s doors in anticipation of global demand for bomoh services. They might even start a franchise to market “Bomoh Boleh” services all over the world. Gosh, I am truly inspired this morning! Actually I do appreciate their efforts as they are not harming anyone. May even be quite the tourist attraction for Malaysia you know!
Police really need to get some serious expertise in handling cases like Nini’s and Nurin’s. If indeed, the dark forces of evil occults are at work, they need to make sure there will not be any new victims. Those photofits would be a great help. I for one never really take notice of what goes on in other people’s cars. However, I do notice that children have a tendency to plaster their faces on the windscreen, possibly out of boredom. Some visuals of how Nini might look now, if her abductors disguise her, might prompt recognition. Anything might help at this stage. Even bomohs!
Cheers Abinesh!
I don’t really believe in those so called ‘bomoh’ but if those ‘alim’ ustaz with special gift, then it’s a different story. Thru my experience….if the ‘practitioner’ ask you to pay as you like , then he might be gifted to help those needed. If the charges are very high, then you can consider yourself ‘being cheated’.
Anyhow… I do hope Ninie will return home soon. Hope these bomohs are gifted and telling the truth….and not just false hope.
As you said.. anything might help at this stage.
Salute yo!
Yesterday you wrote:
For readers of my blog who have been following my daily postings on the search for Nini, you would have read some really good suggestions by some commentors. Recently, “zzz” dropped by with this great suggestion: “… , I think that the police should seriously consider releasing Sharlinie’s pictures with different hairstyles, e.g. boycut or even bald. Remember Yin – he was bald when found 2 weeks later!”. I really think this is a good idea especially as the days drag by. Some artist impressions of how she would look like with different hairstyles and clothes would help jolt some recognition. I believe Elizabeth Smart, the 14-year-old girl who was rescued more than nine-months after the Amber Alert was issued for her, was believed to have been moved from place to place in disguise, forced to wear wigs and different clothes.
TODAY STORIES
PETALING JAYA, Jan 23 (Bernama) — Two weeks after five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar was reported missing, her appearance may have changed.
This possibility was based on other missing children who were later found, Petaling Jaya OCPD ACP Arjunaidi Mohamad told reporters today.
Another five-year-old — Muhammad Nazrin Shamsul Ghazali or Yin — had his head shaved by a Myanmar couple who took care of him for 15 days before they returned the boy to his family in April last year.
In September, the parents of Nurin Jazlin Jazimin, eight, could not identify their daughter’s body because her hair had been cut short besides other changes in her appearance.
Sharlinie was abducted while playing with her elder sister at a playground near their house in Taman Medan on Jan 9.
Arjunaidi said the police were still trying to find Sharlinie including by making house-to-house checks and so far, over 3,000 houses in Petaling Jaya had been screened since the move began on Monday.
“We will try to inspect 1,000 houses a day. If we are suspicious of a house that we have gone into, we will make another visit,” he said.
The house-to-house checks involved the police’s General Operatons Force and covered all housing areas and foreign workers quarters, Arjunaidi said.
A police helicopter was also put on standby to help trace locations which which could give leads to the police in the investigation, he added.
Asked whether the police or Sharlinie’s parents still received false information through phone calls and text messages, he said: “Not anymore, but we still receive many information from the public who have taken part in the search effort.”
Ya lah Yatie, there is so much that is so mixed about this bomoh business that I get worried also. Yang penting amalan jangan melanggar akidah dan jangan jatuh dalam syirik. From the Harian Metro story they seem genuine. If they fail, Allah tak izin lah tu. Kita kena usaha sedaya upaya.
Personally I tak minat drama atau wayang yang ada cerita2 macam ni. You can bet I don’t watch ‘Susuk’ or “Saka’ or any of those types of dramas or movies. Even the Omputih ones also I don’t watch. Mostly because not interested and also because got overactive imagination. But now I worry if these types of stories are not reviving what we have been taught to avoid – Tahyul dan khurafat. But what of all these elements being infused into entertainment? I thought there was some form of ‘penapisan’ stuff that censor these things?
Having lived during the period when the devil worship cultists led by Charles Manson committed heinous crimes including murder in 1969 and having read the book Helter Skelter, I really hope these things don’t happen in Malaysia. Nauzubillah!
Hard-T my man, thank you for that bit of info. I had yet to come across it. Now I am glad they got the tip. Somehow, I hope that one day the headlines will read:
“Sharlinie Found: Home Safe and Unharmed!”
That would really make my day bro!
Why do Muslims still place so much trust on bomohs? I and everybody else pray and wish that Sharlinie will be found safe and unharmed.
But this whole charade that the 50 bomohs were doing as reported in the star:
“The followers of the bomohs circled the playground while Sharlinie’s family knelt on a red cloth and prayed for her safe return. Sharlinie’s sister, Sharliena was asked to call out to her sister while her parents held a pigeon in a cage which was later released. A coconut was also cracked. ”
Red cloth, pigeon and coconut? Come on… this is already bordering Syirik.
Let us all do sembahyang hajat and pray for her safe return.
Oh yeah. I liked that Zainul Ariffin’s article. That was really good.
I had a CSI lecture when my lecturer started to relate one case he worked a few years back. Coincidentally enough, the case he was talking about involved the rape and murder of a 5 year old girl, whose body then was dumped in the woods.
That really struck a nerve with me. When my lecturer started to talk about these monsters and how even some police officers can’t contain themselves in the interrogation room, I started to seeth. I wasn’t mad at my lecturer for telling us the story, I was furious at how ugly the things some people do to innocent children. When he started at the point of the psychology of the rapist-killer, I snapped. I blurted out everything I knew and understood about the psychology of rapists, molesters and paedophiles, basically more or less about how they’re obssessed with power, control and compensation.
I think my lecturer (and my class) was pretty much taken aback by my sudden wrath. The entire hall went dead silent. I was a little embarassed after that, but I guess I just couldn’t contain myself.
As for the 5 year old’s rapist-and-killer, well he was found and detained a week later. I think he nearly got punched by lecturer’s colleague when they were interrogating him. Pity in cases like this, they can’t make exceptions for police brutality. But at least he’s incarcerated.
(He also talked about some odd things certain house-breakers tend to do… like defecating in one corner in the house they’re robbing which I find is so weird… but that’s another story).
This was when my lecturer asked us, “All these ugly things you’ll witness…. are you sure you still want to do this?”
Nobody responded. He smiled and said, “You should be proud of what you’re doing. Because you get to put these bad guys away… lock these monsters up behind bars. And there’s no greater feeling of satisfaction than knowing that you’ve done it. You’ve put the bad guys away.”
Hi Miqdad, I agree with you totally on that bro! That was the whole show. I am sure they knew the media was going to be there and put up a pretty darned good show for the curious crowd.
I agree that we need to sembahyang hajat and pray for her safe return. However, we also need to go out there and search for her. You know how people are prone to believe those who tell them what they want to hear. Bomohs offer hope when everyone else has given up. Maybe it is a self fulfilling prophecy. It happens after you begin to believe that it can. probably not because of the bomoh but because you will yourself to believe that it can come true.
My take on psycho babble. Point taken Miqdad!
Munira you really had me bursting out laughing with your outburst in class. Poor Professor and they thought Asians are shy and have no opinions!
Now that is a gem of a statement. Boy, I hope no criminal ever messes with you mam or he’s gonna get it for sure!
Munira, in the line of work that you have chosen, you gotta believe in what you are doing or you won’t last it out. It’s either you get the bad guys and put ‘em away or they get to you! Society needs to have law and order or there will be no civilised life to speak of. Doctors face the same dilemmas as they have to sacrifice much of their own personal well being for the sake of their patients. Ever seen a doctor having the leave his patient in mid-operation because he has to pickup his child from school? But if called upon, he will drop everything he is doing with his family and even forego sleep because he is needed in a life or death situation.
If you don’t have that sense of dedication and passion, nothing matters. Sometimes you don’t even get thanked and worse, the patient might die anyway despite your best efforts. You have to find why you want to do it. If it is just to make money, there are plenty more jobs that can make you rich but money isn’t everything. It’s knowing that you are doing something worthwhile for society that counts.
Your lecturer is right when he said:
What is important is the intention in our hearts. Ultimately, our deeds on this earth will count before God.
Girl, go get some fresh air occasionally. I know it’s cold out and probably damp and drizzly but Spring is coming soon. Buy yourself a lovely bouquet of tulips and daffys or something. Is it that time of year yet? Anyway treat yourself to some nice chocolates so you will feel better. Reward yourself for speaking your mind. Next class everyone is gonna remember you so be prepared for a good discussion. That would be great stuff to blog about.
Haha thanks Kak T. I like what I’m doing and I’m proud of it. I’ve had people back home telling me that this line of work “takda ong” and very “suwey”, but I don’t care. I’m glad I chose it. Not to sound idealistic, but I want to be the one to be able to provide answers so families can move on.
My classmates nicknamed me the “Angry Little Asian Girl”. Hahaha!
Talk is cheap for some people. They say things without knowing its impact on people. That’s why you gotta know for sure in your own heart so no matter what anyone says, you are at peace in your own conscience.
Thank God it’s not “Brainless Bimbo”, everyone’s favourite label for women. You go girl!
TEMBAM!.. YOU FOUND ME OTHER BLOG! I am amazed with you lah, this other blog kinda private but I am so glad you hopped over lah. I do find I could blog anything under zeee sun, anyway, you maintain such an awesome blog here, its the best blog ever for Nurin Alert etc. and I really wanted people to read the real good stuff on yr site.
anyway, back to SHARLINIE, read on the papers about the bomoh thing, i’d try anything under the moon and sun to get my kid back and this ‘being captured’ for black magic experiment is really scary. I really kesian the family, going round and round and no safe leads. anyway, I hope with the freeing of the dove will bring Ninie back. anyway, i’ve yet the read yr report on this….and, see ya soon right?
TEMBAM, saw hard T’s pic of sharlinine, this is WAY much better than the tilted head, and yes, it will be difficult to recognise her. Read yesterday @ metro that nini’s abductors are residing in a flat within the 5 km radius, ha – right time for the house-house check. I dont like bomoh stuff but I cant say no to it, when we are down and desperate, anything goes. I think they should have a ticker on the TV as a reminder or show nini’s pic at the end all main news, afterall we are forced to read weather forecast that nobody really cares, but definitely, Nini received vast coverage, i see her pic everywhere nowadays and that’s triggering a nurin alert indirectly.
we wait and wait..and with more prayers.
Hi Mary Kate, been so busy today couldn’t get to reply to your comment till late. I liked your blog, Life is Beautiful indeed. So c’est chique! Como tale vous Mary Kate? Par les vous francais? That’s as much French as I can understand! Lovely language for romance. Hope you enjoy your blog.
I really don;t what to say about the bomohs. Don’t know enough about these things. Yes, hope to see you tomorrow evening. Easy enough to spot me. Rocky’s the tallest, Nuraina is the prettiest, Jasni has least hair and me, I am the chubbiest!
Cheers!