A CIRCULAR issued to parents about the risk of kidnappings in Kelantan was merely a reminder for them to stay vigilant, said a member of staff from Sekolah Rendah Hamzah, Machang.

In the circular, the school reminded parents to fetch their children from school on time to avoid any unwanted incidents, but the September 25 document went viral on social media.

“The letter was not meant to cause fear among parents or the public. We wanted to tell parents to pick their children from school at the right time,” the member of staff told The Malaysian Insight.

Meanwhile, Kelantan police dismissed the allegations of child abductions, saying the news that went viral on social media were mere rumours.

Commenting on a statement from a school, Kelantan police chief Muhamad Zaki Harun told The Malaysian Insight the school was merely trying to remind parents to be more vigilant.

“Allegations of kidnapping involving students in Kelantan are not true. Baseless.

“The school in Machang was trying to remind parents to be more careful,” Zaki said.

The circular went viral after it was reported that Gua Musang police in Kelantan were probing claims of an attempted kidnapping involving two students at SK Sri Wangi, on September 19 and 20.

Gua Musang police chief Sik Choon Foo said that, after a voice message over the incidents went viral on WhatsApp, the school had met with the students involved.

“The first incident on Monday at about 5pm involved a Year 4 pupil, who claimed that two unknown men in a white Perodua Kancil had called out to him on the road leading to Gua Musang, but the student ignored them.

“The second incident on Tuesday at about 5pm involved a Year 1 student who claimed that two unknown men in a grey Perodua Myvi had called out to him. The student also ignored the call,” he said in a statement last week.

Sik said following the incidents, the school had requested for police patrols for students returning home after the morning session at 12.45pm, as well as after religious and fardu ain classes at 4.45pm. – September 27, 2022.