The Penang High Court has granted Muslim convert Fatimah Fong Abdullah @ Fong Mee Hui, interim custody of her daughter whom she removed from a school in Butterworth on Nov 8 with the aid of police and officials from the Islamic Affairs Department.

High Court Justice Yaacob Md Sam rejected the originating summons from Tan Cheow Hong, 36, father of the seven year old girl, after considering the wishes of the child.

He had conducted a one-hour interview with the child on Dec 27, where the girl stated her intention to stay with her mother in Selangor.

It was not likely that the child had been coached and the court had no reason to doubt the child's testimony as it was based on the girl's personal experiences, he added.

Tan, was however, granted access to his daughter on alternate weekends, school holidays and public holidays including three days for Chinese New Year next month.

NONE On Dec 1, Tan ( left in photo ) threatened to sue the cops for alleged abuse of power for helping his former wife remove his child without his consent.

His lawyer Gooi Hsiao Leung ( centre ) had said three police personnel accompanied Fatimah, 28, when she seized her daughter Tan Yi Min, on Nov 8 last year.

She then converted her daughter on Nov 9 at the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department.

The police personnel, said to be from the Bagan Luar station, were assisted by religious affairs officers from Shah Alam, as Fatimah had obtained a Syariah Court order to take custody of her daughter.

Fatimah, who embraced Islam on Aug 13 last year, and Tan separated three years ago, and the child had been in the care of her father ever

Fatimah filed for divorce in the Shah Alam and Hulu Langat Syariah Courts before she obtained the custody order.