ISKANDAR PUTERI: A 41-year-old man was arrested for filing a false missing persons report, claiming he had lost his four children near Mutiara Rini here, today.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner M. Kumarasan said that the children, aged between 2 and 8, were found safe at their mother's home.
"We discovered that the children were not missing and were instead at their mother's residence," he said.
Investigations revealed the man fabricated the report due to fears stemming from personal debts.
He lodged the false report at 2.40am, claiming his children had vanished, which prompted immediate police action.
Kumarasan said that the man's account raised suspicions: "When questioned, he was unable to provide precise details, and his statements were inconsistent."
Further investigation confirmed the children's safety and uncovered a history of alleged child neglect on the suspect's part.
"It is believed that his mounting debts led him to file the false report, fearing that creditors might harm his children," he said.
The case is being investigated under the Child Act 2001 for child neglect, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison or a fine of up to RM50,000.
He has been remanded to facilitate investigations under Section 182 of the Penal Code for filing a false police report, which could result in up to six months' imprisonment and a fine of up to RM2,000.
Kumarasan urged the public to refrain from making false reports.
"This not only wastes valuable resources but also carries the risk of imprisonment," he said.