Kulim schoolgirl never left school, police say after false abduction claim

KUALA LUMPUR: An 11-year-old schoolgirl was discovered hiding in a school toilet in Kulim following a false claim that she had left the school grounds with a man on a motorcycle, police have announced. Superintendent Syamsul Sinring of the Kulim district police detailed the incident, which began around 9:20 am when a student told a teacher that her classmate had departed the school compound with an unidentified individual on a motorcycle.

The teacher, who also serves as the senior assistant for student affairs, promptly informed the girl's parents before filing a report at the Sungai Kob police station.

Upon arrival at school at 7:20 am after being dropped off by her sister, the girl participated in the 8 am assembly. During the assembly, she engaged in an activity with another student's hair bun. The classmate, displeased, pulled the girl's headscarf, causing her inner cap to fall off. Distraught by this incident, the girl sought refuge in the toilet to adjust her headscarf, ultimately choosing to conceal herself rather than returning to class.

When the girl went missing from class, another student falsely informed the teacher that she had escaped with a man on a motorcycle. The accuser subsequently admitted to fabricating the story out of resentment towards the girl. Despite knowing the story was false, the accuser went along with it, police said. Investigations confirmed that the girl remained in the toilet throughout the entire incident, Syamsul added.

The girl's aunt expressed deep concern over her safety and was relieved upon learning that she was found unharmed. The incident had previously spread on social media, prompting calls from the public to assist in locating the student.