A 5-year-old boy was accidentally left behind at a restaurant in Temerloh, Pahang, after a family dinner outing—only for his absence to be realised over an hour later. The incident sparked public concern after a video capturing the child alone at the eatery began circulating online.
The boy had been dining with his family and relatives at a restaurant, with the group arriving in two separate vehicles. According to Temerloh district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mazlan Hassan, the child was supposed to leave with his uncle. However, due to a miscommunication or oversight, he never got into the car.
Left Behind, But Safe
After the group departed, restaurant patrons noticed the boy alone and unattended, prompting them to contact the authorities. Fortunately, the boy was found safe and unharmed. He was taken under police care while waiting for his family to return.
It wasn’t until the family reached their next destination in Kampung Kemuning that they realised the boy was missing. The panic set in, and they quickly contacted the Temerloh District Police Headquarters at about 11:30 PM.
At approximately 12:40 AM, the child’s family arrived at the police station to retrieve him. No injuries were reported, and the boy appeared to be in good health, thanks to the alert members of the public who stepped in.
Miscommunication Nearly Ends in Tragedy
This incident serves as a reminder of how easily a child can be unintentionally forgotten, especially in large group outings involving multiple vehicles. Authorities have urged families to double-check headcounts before departing any location to prevent similar incidents.
Incidents involving child safety continue to be a high priority in Malaysia and Singapore, where authorities are quick to act on reports involving minors. In this case, public vigilance and swift police response helped ensure a happy ending.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to remain vigilant during outings, especially when travelling in groups, and to never assume someone else has accounted for the child.
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