Did the viral Facebook post falsely accuse an elderly man?

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Viral Facebook Post Falsely Accused an Elderly Man of Improper Behaviour

A viral Facebook post containing allegations of improper behaviour by an elderly man towards a young girl has been refuted by the police. Investigations confirmed that the claims were false, with the girl's mother and the man himself denying the allegations. The police have since reminded the public about the legal consequences of sharing unverified information online.
Allegations Refuted by Police and Family

The Seberang Perai Tengah district police chief, ACP Tan Cheng San, stated that an investigation into the viral claims found them to be untrue. The mother of the girl explicitly denied the allegations circulating on social media, clarifying that the elderly man was a neighbour whom her family treated as a family member. This direct denial from the girl's mother contradicts the accusations made in the Facebook post, which included photos of the man hugging the girl.
Elderly Man Denies Accusations, Lodges Police Reports

The 80-year-old man at the centre of the accusations also took steps to clear his name by lodging two separate police reports to deny the allegations. Police investigations confirmed his residency in Taman Semilang, Seberang Jaya, and gathered statements from witnesses, including neighbours. These witnesses corroborated that the man and the girl resided in the same neighbourhood and noted that the man had difficulty communicating.
Warning Issued Against Spreading Unverified Information

Following the incident, the police issued a stern reminder to the public regarding the responsible use of social media. ACP Tan Cheng San emphasised that uploading posts that create confusion and public concern based on unverified or fake information is an offence. This action is punishable under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, highlighting the legal ramifications of disseminating false claims online.

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Did the viral Facebook post falsely accuse an elderly man?

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