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

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police are searching for the perpetrator of the alleged kidnapping of a foreign businessman on his way to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), more than a week after the incident.

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

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

“The main suspect is still being hunted,” he told Malay Mail on Sunday (Oct 27).

The victim – a Chinese national who local media described as a businessman – was allegedly forcibly picked up by four people near a toll plaza as he was heading to KLIA for a flight to China.

The New Straits Times reported that the man’s vehicle was intercepted on the expressway by a Toyota Vellfire multi-purpose vehicle and the man was abducted.

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

“The victim allegedly owed the suspects RM300,000 ($68,800), which she refused to pay, leading to her kidnapping,” Hussein said, adding that no ransom was paid.

JOHOR KIDNAPPING CASE

Separately, authorities continue to investigate the alleged kidnapping of another businessman in Johor Bahru on October 13.

Johor police chief M. Kumar said on October 26 that no further arrests had been made in connection with 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,” M. Kumar was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

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

The victim was allegedly abducted outside her home at 5 a.m. that day as she was preparing to be transported to Senai International Airport for a business trip.

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

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