SUNGAI PETANI: Police are asking the public to be truthful when providing information on missing persons.
Kedah police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said it was imperative for complainants to be transparent when lodging reports on those who had gone missing, so that proper action could be taken on a case-by-case basis.
"It is vital for the person to file the report honestly. For example, don't simply claim that your family member has been abducted while, in truth, the missing person has eloped with her boyfriend.
"Our main priority is on genuine cases (missing and kidnapping) because we want to prevent a devastating outcome at all costs.
"That is why we zoom into the missing persons' profile to facilitate investigations and collaborate with our counterparts in other states, as well as our officers at the international border checkpoints, whenever there is a need," he told reporters after closing the state police contingent's town hall with the local community in Kuala Muda here today (Saturday).
Fisol said there was an increase in reports of missing persons in Kedah, but the number was not alarming.
"Please be honest and tell the police the truth. We have a high number of reports whereby the complainants were not being truthful with their information.
"We are not denying the public their right to lodge a report, and we don't want our officers and personnel to be accused of refusing to accept reports. However, the public must be fair, and then we will do our best.
"My main concern is that our men may end up not taking a particular missing persons report seriously because the complainant has a history of not being transparent.
"What if the third report is a genuine case, but it is not being taken seriously by the policeman? In the end, we will get the blame.
"The public have their responsibilities, and so do the police. Please cooperate with us," he said.