Fospaliza Sariff said the lift has malfunctioned several times during their 12 years staying at the apartment building, although previous incidents all involved adults, Harian Metro reported.

She said she was grateful that her 11-year-old son, Faiq Adiwira, and his 10-year-old friend were found safe despite being trapped from 2.15pm yesterday to 1am today.

“My son and his friend were in a weak state after being trapped without food or drink,” she said.

“They tried to call for help using the intercom but there was no response, and they could only cry until they fell asleep.”

Fospaliza said she did not expect the children to be trapped in the lift and assumed her son went out to play after buying buns from a shop downstairs.

She said Faiq had gone down from their apartment on the ninth floor before getting trapped on the fourth floor with his friend.

“He didn’t even have a chance to buy the buns,” she said.

Cheras police chief SS Ravindar Singh said police received two reports about the matter.