A 16-year-old girl from Johor Bahru, Yee Hui Rou, was reported missing for over 24 hours before she texted her mother, asking her not to search for her.
On Wednesday (July 16), Hui Rou’s father dropped her off at school around 6:30 am. However, when her mother arrived to pick her up at 3 pm, she was informed by Hui Rou’s teacher that the teenager had not attended school that day. Attempts to contact Hui Rou via her mobile phone were unsuccessful.
At 7:58 pm the same day, Hui Rou finally texted her mother:
“I’ll take good care of myself. I’m happy now without you.”
Despite receiving the message, her mother lodged a police report out of concern for her daughter’s safety.
Hui Rou later expressed her feelings through an Instagram Story, clarifying that she had not gone missing but had intentionally left home.
“I’m not going back to the juvenile detention centre!”
In her post, Hui Rou explained that returning home would mean being sent back to the juvenile detention centre over what she described as a “small matter.” She also shared her frustrations about her mother, claiming she was treated unfairly and did not feel loved.
Hui Rou alleged that her mother forced her to work at a night market, and when she was dismissed for missing work due to illness, her mother blamed her.
Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure at home, Hui Rou decided to leave. She told her mother that she “wouldn’t die” and was experiencing freedom for the first time.
In an interview with China Press, Hui Rou’s mother admitted that she had neglected her daughter after the birth of her younger sibling. She explained that she gave birth to Hui Rou at the age of 17 and divorced her husband three years later.
Raising Hui Rou on her own, she said she had to be strict, especially after noticing how Hui Rou treated her younger sister.
She emphasised that she loves all her children equally and only wants the best for Hui Rou.
“I may have said hurtful things when I was angry, but I didn’t mean them. She had discipline issues at school, so I hoped the detention centre would help her improve.”
In a recent update, it was reported that Hui Rou has safely returned home.
