North Johor Baru police were left baffled after five siblings, aged between 10 and 17, mysteriously vanished while they were attending a religious ceremony at the Tian Hou Shen Gong Devotees Association, Taman Tun Aminah, in the city.
The incident happened on 31 October and the police were informed that night about the disappearance of Yeo Soon Chuan (17), Yeo Soon Shen (16), Yeo Soon Yuan (13) and Yeo Soon Hoo (12), Yeo Soon Lian (10).
The Malay Mail reported that North Johor Baru police chief ACP Mohd Taib Ahmad said the children were last seen wearing the association's pink-coloured Shen De T-shirts. All the five children went missing from the venue that same night.
Mohd Taib said also said that police have already launched a manhunt and have ordered an investigation into the matter. It was reported that initial investigation revealed the children were under the care of the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and since July they were placed under the Johor Baru Shen De Welfare Association.
"Investigations also revealed that within that period, the mother of the children, a widow, had appealed from the association's keeper for her children to be returned to her but was not allowed to do so without gaining permission from JKM," said police.
The police have been trying to locate the mother and meanwhile urged the public to assist them in the investigation by sharing any valid information they have with the nearest police station.
