Malaysian police are looking for the organizer of the kidnapping of a foreign businessman; 8 suspects arrested

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police are looking for the mastermind behind the alleged kidnapping of a foreign businessman who was heading to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) more than a week after the incident took place.

Eight people have since been arrested following the Oct 18 incident on the Maju Expressway near the Putrajaya toll plaza.

Acting district police chief Superintendent Shan Gopal Krishnan told local media that all eight people, including the woman, were in custody.

“The main suspect is still being pursued,” he was quoted as saying by Malay Mail on Sunday (Oct 27).

The victim – a Chinese national described by local media as a businessman – was allegedly forcibly grabbed by four people near a toll plaza as he was on his way to KLIA for his flight to China.

The New Straits Times reported that the man’s car was intercepted on the expressway by a Toyota Vellfire multi-purpose vehicle before he was kidnapped.

Earlier, Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan told local media that initial investigations showed money was the motive for the kidnapping.

“The victim allegedly owed the suspects 300,000 ringgit ($68,800), which he refused to pay, leading to his abduction,” Hussein said, adding that no ransom was made.

JOHOR KIDNAPPING CASE

Authorities are also continuing to investigate the alleged kidnapping of another businessman in Johor Bahru on October 13.

On October 26, Johor Police Chief M. Kumar said no further arrests had been made in the case, adding that 13 people had been remanded in custody to assist in the investigation.

“The interrogation is still ongoing and they are still in custody. No new arrests have been made,” national news agency Bernama quoted M. Kumar as saying.

In the incident on Oct 13, local media reported that a Johor businessman was released after a ransom of RM20 million was paid to his kidnappers.

The victim was allegedly kidnapped near his home at 5am on the day he was about to take a taxi to Senai International Airport for a business trip.

Malay Mail reported last week that those arrested included 10 men and three women, aged between 23 and 58.

“A family member of the victim was also among those arrested,” Mr. M. Kumar said then.