KUALA LUMPUR: The level of missing person cases in the country is still under control, says Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The Bukit Aman CID director said it is not at a problematic level, as most cases involve teenagers running away from home after being influenced by their peers.
"However, the CID will never close a case of a missing person before the person is found. As mentioned by the Inspector-General of Police and the Home Minister previously, the number of these cases is still under control.
He said people do not have to wait 14 hours or more to lodge a missing person report.
"If any family members or friends are missing, report the matter as soon as possible," he told a press conference after attending the closing of the Behavioural Science Course at the Royal Malaysia Police College on Wednesday (Aug 21).
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said he has instructed all CID officers to act fast, especially if those who have gone missing are children.
"The first 30 minutes are crucial for us to take action. Within that time anything could happen, thus we have to act fast," he said.
He also commended Johor police - especially the state CID- for successfully rescuing kidnapped six-year-old Albertine Leo Jia Hui at a budget hotel in Batang Kali on July 23.
She was reported missing during a Japanese Festival celebration at Eco Galleria in Johor on July 21.
