Maran police chief Wong Kim Wai said the criminal investigation department tracked down the girl at 11pm on Wednesday.

“As soon as we received information about her whereabouts, the team went straight there and found the girl to be in good health. She was with an 18-year-old friend.

“The team brought back the girl at about 12.30pm and reached her home at 3.30am.

“The girl’s mother also filed a police report confirming that her daughter has returned safely,” he said.

Wong told this to reporters after attending the opening ceremony of a gymnasium and Deepavali banquet at the Pahang contingent police headquarters, officiated by Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman.

“Most cases of missing children are usually due to the influence of peer groups. If not, it’s because of arguments in the family.

“We advise families to pay attention to changes in their children’s behaviour and habits, spend more time communicating with them and screen their friends,” he added.