Playground dramas can sometimes spiral beyond the school gates, especially when adults get involved.
Indeed, a misplaced assumption can turn a harmless spat into a headline.
It was claimed recently that a dispute over an eraser at an Ayer Keroh primary school led to an attempted kidnapping.
Is it true that such an incident happened in Melaka?
VERDICT:
FALSE
A quarrel between two primary schoolboys in Ayer Keroh escalated into panic after it was mistaken for a kidnapping attempt, said Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit.
He said the misunderstanding occurred on Monday (Sept 8) when a 44-year-old hawker stopped to ask a Primary Three pupil about the argument involving her 11-year-old son.
ACP Patit then added that a nearby school van driver misinterpreted her actions and believed it was an abduction attempt.
He said the driver then alerted the boy’s 28-year-old mother, who lodged a police report on the same day claiming her son had almost been abducted after school.
ACP Patit added that the report was shared with the school’s management and added that a warning message was circulated in the parents and teachers’ WhatsApp group, causing widespread concern among parents.
He then said that the 44-year-old woman received the viral message and subsequently lodged a police report on Tuesday (Sept 9) to clarify what had happened.
ACP Patit said that both parties were called to Ayer Keroh police station for consultation and added that the matter was resolved amicably.
He added that the police hope that the misleading message would no longer be circulated and reminded the public to verify information before sharing it.
