Sabah police investigate false report on Keningau abduction case

Sabah police is investigating a false report on an abduction incident involving school students in the state that was spread via the social medium, including the WhatsApp application Tuesday.

The rumours on WhatsApp that happened in Keningau claimed that four secondary school students and three primary school pupils were abducted by a group of individuals before being released without condition.

A photograph showing eight elderly women standing, with seven of them wearing school uniforms was also released.

Sabah police commission Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said the police were opening an investigation paper and tracking down the individuals responsible for it.

"The statement that was spread through WhatsApp can create fear among the community, especially since it never happen and is false," he said in a statement here yesterday.

He said initial investigation revealed no police report was lodged relating to the kidnapping up till now at the Keningau district police station headquarters.

The case was being investigated under section 505 (C) of the Penal Code for causing fear among members of the public, which carries a jail term not exceeding two years or fine upon conviction, he said.

He advised the public to be more responsible in publicising any information, especially those relating to security issues that could jeopardise public order.