MELAKA: A quarrel between two pupils of a primary school in Ayer Keroh here over an eraser snowballed into panic when it was mistaken for a kidnapping attempt, sparking alarm among parents.
Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said the misunderstanding occurred on Monday when a 44-year-old female hawker, whose 11-year-old son was involved in the quarrel, stopped to ask a Year Three pupil why the children were arguing.
He said the woman had spoken to the nine-year-old boy while walking out of the school with her son, but a van driver waiting nearby misinterpreted her actions and believed it was an abduction attempt.
ACP Patit said the van driver then alerted the boy’s 28-year-old mother, who lodged a police report the same day claiming her son had almost been abducted near the school.
He said the report was later shared with the school’s management, and a warning message circulated in the parents’ and teachers’ WhatsApp chat group, which caused widespread concern among parents.
ACP Patit said the 44-year-old woman herself received the viral message on her mobile phone and subsequently lodged a police report on Tuesday to clarify what had actually transpired.
He said both parties were then called to the Ayer Keroh police station where the matter was resolved amicably.
ACP Patit said police hoped the misleading message would no longer be circulated.
