KUALA LUMPUR: After three months of anxiety and prayers, Minerva Balisong finally returned to the United Kingdom on Tuesday with her 17-year-old runaway son, David Balisong.
David’s disappearance had sparked a frantic search in Malaysia, but his family’s ordeal ended well when he was found here safe and sound.
He and his mother boarded a 7pm flight home to Manchester on Tuesday, after an exhausting process to resolve David’s expired visa, which lapsed on Sept 4.
That was the day he was found at a budget hotel in Jalan Pudu, where he was staying with three roommates since July 14.
The overstay required fresh documentation, which Minerva said kept her at the Immigration Department office “the whole of Monday”.
The 50-year-old described her joy and relief as immeasurable, having been reunited with her son halfway across the world.
“Finally, after almost three months of searching in fear and hope, I found my son alive.
“I am forever grateful to the Malaysian police, Immigration Department, Uncle Kentang (social activist Kuan Chee Heng) and the Filipino community here who stood by me,” Minerva said on Facebook before their departure.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
