KUALA LUMPUR: Police today said a boy who claimed to have been "abducted" by a foreigner had actually tried to run away from home.
Shah Alam deputy police chief Superintendent Ramsay Embol said police received a report at 11.16pm yesterday from the boy's 41-year-old father saying his son had been abducted by a foreigner.
"Upon investigation, it was found that the abduction claim circulating on social media did not happen.
"The 11-year-old boy attended Quran classes at a nearby surau every evening from 8-9pm.
"Yesterday, after his Quran class, the boy did not return home immediately but walked alone to Setia City Mall with the intention of running away from home," he said in a statement today.
Ramsay said the boy was stressed out because he is often scolded by his mother when he makes mistakes.
However, while at the mall, the boy was "saved" by a couple who wanted to take him back home.
"Before being taken home, the boy was brought to a petrol station in Setia Alam to buy food as he was hungry.
"After purchasing the food, the boy requested to use the restroom and called his father, fabricating a story out of fear of being scolded," he said.
Ramsay said CCTV footage from the petrol station shows no abduction occurred as described by the boy.
He said the footage revealed the boy buying food with a man who helped him.
The man was identified and had his statement recorded.
Ramsay said the case is classified as "no further action".
"The police remind anyone providing false information, either verbally or in writing, to a public servant, causing panic or distress to anyone, may be investigated under Section 182 of the Penal Code.
"If convicted, the offender may face imprisonment for up to six months or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both," he said.