Viral letter on kidnappings is fake, say cops

IPOH: The police have denied issuing a letter warning people about kidnapping incidences involving a “lembaga hitam dan putih” (black and white entity) in Kuala Kangsar.

Perak police chief Comm Datuk Razarudin Husain said the letter, which has gone viral on social media, was fake and the police are investigating it.

“The Kuala Kangsar district police have filed a report about the matter.

“Throughout my experience as the former deputy CPO and as the current chief, we have not come across any kidnapping incidences in the district,” he said after launching a blood donation programme in conjunction with the 212th Police Day celebration at Mydin hypermarket in Meru Raya yesterday.

In the letter purportedly issued by the district deputy police chief, it warned parents from the Fire and Rescue Department, police and Civil Defence Force about a missing person incident.

It also warned parents not to allow their children to go out at night and that the entity was prowling in the royal town.

On the case of the missing Gopeng Ultra Trail participant, Comm Razarudin said police believed there were no elements of foul play.

He said the police had been keeping tabs on 29-year-old Mohammad Ashraf Hassan’s bank accounts and mobile data but found no suspicious activities.

“If there is foul play, there should be some movement or changes in his bank accounts and phone calls.

“His vehicle has remained untouched and we have also interviewed seven witnesses, including his friends who said he did not have any feud with anyone,” he added.

Ashraf went missing while participating in the ultra marathon on March 23.

“The organisers had even expected Ashraf to be a top 10 finisher of the race,” said Comm Razarudin.

He urged the public to inform the police if they wanted to conduct their own search and rescue mission.

“We don’t want any untoward incidents to happen,” he added.

On the blood donation programme, Comm Razarudin said about 250 police personnel had donated their blood.

“We were informed that in Perak we need at least 60,000 bags of blood every year, which is why we will run our blood donation campaign every year.

“Policemen at the district level will donate their blood at the nearest government hospital and clinics,” he added.