SINGAPORE – At the age of 70, Madam Kartini Ahamat’s most fervent wish is to see her biological family at least once while she is still alive.
Born to a Chinese couple and named Chan Seow Eng at birth, she was adopted by a Malay family as a baby.
Madam Kartini found out about her parentage only at the age of 23, when a relative let her in on the truth at her adoptive father’s funeral. The revelation hit her like a bolt from the blue, as she had no inkling she was adopted.
The housewife said in Malay: “I felt very sad to find out I was adopted. I cried.
“I didn’t suspect anything as my adoptive father loved me very much. I also really loved him.”
When she was young, shopkeepers would ask if she is Chinese, she said.
She told them she is Malay, adding that her adoptive mother – whom she thought was her birth mother then – is more fair-skinned.
Catch up on the news that everyone’s talking about
Thank you!
Sign up
By signing up, I accept SPH Media's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy as amended from time to time.
Yes, I would also like to receive SPH Media Group's SPH Media Limited, its related corporations and affiliates as well as their agents and authorised service providers.
marketing and promotions.
Madam Kartini was adopted by Mr Ahamat Ibrahim, a ship master, and his wife Zainab, shortly after she was born in 1953. The Ahamats lived in Minto Road, which is off Jalan Sultan, at that time.
Madam Zainab died of a heart attack when Madam Kartini was still a toddler, and Mr Ahamat married Madam Zainab’s sister, Madam Rokiyah. The family later also adopted a pair of biological sisters.
After learning that she was adopted, Madam Kartini asked Madam Rokiyah about her birth parents.
Madam Rokiyah told her that her biological parents sold bean curd and they lived in the Little India area.
Apart from hearing from a relative that she has at least one older biological sister, Madam Kartini could not find any other information about her birth parents.
Over the years, her two adoptive sisters reunited with their birth family.
Old photos of Madam Kartini Ahamat as a child. In the top image, Madam Kartini (left) is pictured with her adopted cousin. The bottom photo is of Madam Kartini. ST PHOTO: HENG YI-HSIN
Adopted children can turn to MSF for help to connect with their birth parents
Woman, 90, crosses the Causeway for reunion with long-lost daughter
Using the names of their biological parents from their birth certificates, her adoptive sisters found their biological father through the Yellow Pages phone directory.
But Madam Kartini’s birth certificate lists Mr Ahamat and Madam Rokiyah as her parents.
After Madam Rokiyah died more than 10 years ago and her adoptive sisters’ reunion with their biological family, Madam Kartini’s wish to find her own birth family grew stronger.
She said: “I want to know if my biological parents are still alive, and I want to see my biological sister.
“I want to know why I was given away for adoption.”
A widow, Madam Kartini has two daughters and one granddaughter.
Her elder daughter, 52-year-old housewife Nur Juherni Jumahat, has helped her look for her birth family without any luck so far.
“I feel sad as mum has always said she feels like she’s all alone in the world,” Madam Juherni said. “She has always said that before she dies, she wants to see them.”
Madam Kartini Ahamat, 70, found out about her parentage only at the age of 23, when a relative revealed the truth at her adoptive father’s funeral. ST PHOTO: HENG YI-HSIN
They had a breakthrough in 2023 when the family approached their MP for help. The MP suggested that they try asking the Family Justice Courts for Madam Kartini’s adoption records.
In January, they found out the name of Madam Kartini’s birth father: Chan Kim Guan. In the adoption records, Chan is also spelt as Choon.
Her birth mother is Madam Ang Siang Lang. The couple lived in Cheang Gim Chuan Place at the time of the adoption.
Madam Juherni went to that address, but it is now an empty shop near Prinsep Street.
She contacted The SundayTimes after reading the story of two childhood best friends who later learnt that they are biological sisters. The two sisters, who were born to a Chinese couple, were adopted separately by a Malay couple and an Indian couple.
Their story was featured in a book about interracial adoptions in pre-independent Singapore, which was published in December 2023.
Madam Kartini said she has friends like herself, who were born into Chinese families and adopted by Malay parents. Her friends have since found their birth families.
She said of a prayer that is deep in her heart: “I pray that if it’s good for me, please let me meet my birth parents.”
If you have any information regarding Madam Kartini’s biological family, please contact Madam Juherni at chooharnee@yahoo.com
New law tightens eligibility criteria for adoption
S'pore man discovers his former boss is actually one of his 8 long-lost siblings
Unlock unlimited access to ST exclusive content, insights and analyses
ST One Digital - Annual
$9.90 $4.95 /month
Get offer
$59.40 for the first year and $118.80 per year thereafter.
ST One Digital - Monthly
29.90 $9.90 /month
Subscribe today
No lock-in contract
Unlock more knowledge, unlock more benefits
New feature: Stay up to date on important topics and follow your favourite writers with myST All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com Easy access any time via ST app on one mobile device
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Adoption Babies Race issues
Facebook Telegram More Whatsapp Linkedin Twitter FB Messenger Email Print Purchase Article Copy permalink https://str.sg/MtLJ
Read this subscriber-only article for free!
Just sign up for a free account and log in to continue reading.
‘I want to know why I was given away for adoption’: 70-year-old looks for birth family
Sign up
Already have an account? Log in.
All done! This article is now fully available for you
‘I want to know why I was given away for adoption’: 70-year-old looks for birth family
Read now
Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full
‘I want to know why I was given away for adoption’: 70-year-old looks for birth family
Resend verification e-mail
The gift link for this subscriber-only article has expired.
Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months.
Subscribe now
You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month.
Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month for the first 3 months.
Subscribe now
Read and win!
Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards
Let's go! Terms & conditions apply
Frequently asked questions
Good job, you've read 3 articles today!
Spin the wheel now
Let's go! Terms & conditions apply
Frequently asked questions