ADDICT'S DILEMMA ... the father at his regular drug haunt in Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday with his three-year-old daughter tagging along. Many people expressed outrage over the father's actions, while others were sympathetic and urged the authorities to take the child under their custody until the 38-year-old man sorts out his life.

KUALA LUMPUR -- The heart-rending story of the three-year-old girl who follows her drug-addict father during his "rounds" to get a fix has started a debate on whether the father should be allowed to continue taking care of his daughter.

The man's wife, also a drug addict, died two months ago, and their daughter has been tagging along with him while he gets his daily fix at a drug addicts' den in Jalan Ipoh, here.

The Star, in its final edition yesterday, carried the story and picture of the father and his daughter, prompting scores of callers to respond.

Individuals and religious groups offered to either keep the child with them or adopt her legally.

However, a few callers were touched by the father's love for his daughter despite his craving for drugs, and felt that it would be cruel to forcibly take the girl away from him. "I don't care what happens to the father. My main concern is the future of the girl. I have a three-year-old daughter and my heart reached out to the girl. "My family members cried upon seeing the picture of the girl hugging her father when he was preparing his fix," said a reader who identified herself as Mrs Lam.

Others echoed her views, saying that the innocent girl deserved a better home, at least until her father is rehabilitated.

Among the readers who felt that it would be heartless to take away the only love of his life was one Mr K.L. Lim, who said that for a hardcore addict to turn down a RM10,000 offer to part with his child was a case of "love knowing no bounds."

"He should have her with him while he is being rehabilitated. She could be his inspiration to kick the habit," he said.

A caller, Mr Lee, said he was extremely touched by the father's decision to turn down the RM10,000 offer. "When a man is hooked on drugs, he will usually do anything to earn money for drugs. However, the future of the girl is more important than anything else. If the father loves his daughter that much, he shouldn't keep her with him or take her to such places," he added.

The city Welfare Department immediately swung into action, looking for the man and his daughter but failed to find them.

Its director N.M. Pillai said the officers acted as soon as they saw the news report and have lodged a police report.

He said the authorities needed to first affirm the existence of the girl before they could apply for a court order to take custody of her.

"The father is clearly not fit to look after his child if he takes her to the drug addicts' den. This is abuse under the Child Protection Act. Our paramount concern is her welfare. As custodian, we will find her and bring her case to court. We will put her in a home pending investigations into her background and whether she has other relatives who may be more capable in caring for her," he said.

The father, when met yesterday, said he wanted to kick the habit because he loved his daughter very much. "I will do it for her sake. I don't mind sending her to a welfare home while I am at a rehabilitation centre. However, I need to settle several personal matters first. I do not want to put her up for adoption, and sending her to a welfare home will be temporary. I would like to take her back after I have kicked the habit. I want to quit drugs before my daughter grows up and realises that her father is an addict," he added.

When The Star found him and the girl yesterday, he was sitting by the roadside while his daughter was playing nearby, oblivious to what was going on.

The man said he was ashamed to face his family members now that the story has been published, and was afraid to return to his sister's house where they lived. "My sister showed me the newspaper and cried. I don't know what to do now," he said.

He said he was worried that the police and Welfare Department would now be looking for him because of the news reports. "I am afraid they will take away my girl," he said.

When asked where he and his daughter were going to stay for the night, he just kept quiet. He then got up, carried his daughter, and walked away.