Johor police previously investigating the 'black-on-black' kidnapping and extortion case involving two Singaporean citizens (a man and a woman) and S$80,000 (over RM250,000) have arrested two more local men, bringing the total number of suspects detained to seven; among them, six have been charged, while one was released and became a prosecution witness.
According to Johor Police Chief Datuk Rahman, the Criminal Investigation Departments of the national and Johor state police, acting on intelligence, arrested two local men aged 32 and 41 in Johor Bahru and Kluang over two days starting last Wednesday (June 12).
In a statement, he said both suspects have criminal records; one of them also tested positive for methamphetamine in an initial urine screening.
He stated that both men have been remanded until Friday (August 21) to assist with further investigations.
"After police completed their investigation files on Thursday (August 20), they were submitted to the Johor state prosecutor's office. Following the prosecutor's instructions, six suspects were charged under Section 3(1) of the 1961 Kidnapping Act (kidnapping, unlawful confinement, or unlawful detention for ransom), namely for kidnapping the male victim with the intent to demand ransom; upon conviction, they face a minimum jail term of 30 years to a maximum of 40 years and whipping."
"The same six are also charged under Section 365 of the Penal Code (unlawful confinement), namely for kidnapping or abducting the female victim with the intent to secretly confine her; upon conviction, they face up to seven years' imprisonment and a fine."
"Three of them face additional charges under Section 395 of the Penal Code (gang robbery), which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment and whipping if convicted; two others also face charges under Section 324 of the Penal Code (causing injury with a weapon), which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, whipping, or any two of these punishments."
Rahman revealed that the other suspect was released and, under Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code, became a prosecution witness on bail.
Suspects involved in the kidnapping case were first brought to the Johor Bahru Sessions Court on Friday (August 21) to face the kidnapping charges, and then brought to the Magistrate's Court in Johor Bahru for other criminal charges.
The police reminded the public not to try to obtain money through illegal or shortcut means, as it could ultimately harm both others and themselves.
The police also urged the public to continue to provide information related to crime by going to the nearest police station or calling the Johor Police Hotline (0192792095) or the Johor Police Headquarters Operations Room (072212999).
News Background
A 32-year-old fugitive who had absconded from Singapore with bail earlier, together with his 33-year-old girlfriend, entered Malaysia through illegal means and was allegedly kidnapped and unlawfully confined by the acquaintances helping him cross the border. The fugitive's family was also extorted for a ransom of S$80,000.
After the male victim's family reported to police on August 10, investigations were launched. Around 6 pm the next day, at a ransom handover site near Sutera Mall, Skudai, police not only rescued the male hostage but also unexpectedly found the female victim who had also been abducted.
Police subsequently carried out multiple raids in the area, arresting several men and women involved, ultimately cracking this 'black-on-black' kidnapping case.