Melaka: Melaka police are investigating allegations that a boy was nearly abducted by a man in a white van while cycling home in Kampung Paya Ikan here on August 15. Melaka Tengah police chief ACP Christopher Patit said the report was made by the 12-year-old victim, who is a primary school student in Jalan Datuk Palembang here on the same day the incident allegedly occurred.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, ACP Christopher Patit confirmed that police received a report of the incident, which allegedly took place at about 5 pm on August 15. The police are still investigating the validity of the claim. He clarified that the incident did not happen at school, contrary to what has been widely circulated on social media, but rather occurred when the victim was cycling home from a shop.

He added that, so far, investigations suggest there was no attempted kidnap of the victim and that the people in the alleged van had no interaction with the child. He advised the public not to speculate as it would cause public alarm, especially among parents. However, he encouraged the public to remain vigilant and keep their children safe to avoid any untoward incidents.

Earlier, social media, including WhatsApp, was abuzz with claims that an adult masked man in a white van had attempted to kidnap a primary school student along Jalan Datuk Palembang. It was reported that the child managed to escape being kidnapped before his parents filed a police report.