Melaka: The mother of a young girl who gained online attention while wearing a 'Spiderman' costume at a petrol station has clarified that her daughter is not a beggar and expressed her unawareness of the incident.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nor Hafika Mohd Shamsul, 30, stated that she was unaware her eldest child was taken out by her foster father, known as "Uncle Awe," until informed by the Melaka Social Welfare Department (JKM). She explained that her seven-year-old daughter had accompanied her foster father on several occasions, dressed in the costume.

Nor Hafika mentioned, "I thought she was just sitting behind my foster father, I didn't know she was there as a mascot. When she returned home, she said she enjoyed it because many children liked to watch, that's all." The mother was speaking from her home in Kampung Paya Rumput.

Nor Hafika, originally from Masjid Tanah and employed as a caregiver, shared that her daughter has an affinity for the Spiderman character. The costume was acquired from a second-hand clothing collection centre in Tangga Batu last December. The family has been facing financial challenges since her husband, Mohd Nazry Mohd Ali, 40, became unable to work following hernia surgery. They rely heavily on the monthly assistance from JKM.

In response to the situation, Melaka Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Kalsom Noordin, who visited the family, announced that the Melaka JKM would assess the possibility of increasing the financial aid currently provided to the family, which stands at RM250 per month.