Singaporean man and 8 others arrested in Malaysia for kidnapping, demanding ransom of S$152,097

A Singaporean man, as well as eight other men, were arrested for the abduction of two Indonesian men and demanding a ransom of RM450,000 (S$152,097) for their release.

The suspects, aged between 20 and 43, were detained in Batu Pahat, Johor Baru, and Muar on July 14, said Johor police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Khalil Kader Mohd.

He said the suspects were caught after the victims' friend lodged a police report, reports The Star.

The victims' friend, a local, told the police that the wife of one of the victims had informed him of her husband being kidnapped.

"The wife told him that she had received a call from one of the suspects that her husband was with them and demanded she pay them RM450,000," said the police chief.

One of the victims, who was rescued by the police in Batu Pahat, sustained back injuries that were supposedly from hot water that was poured on him.

Comm Mohd Khalil added that the police had seized RM36,000 (S$12,158), a gun containing 19 bullets, and drugs.

The suspects were all tested positive for drugs.

Investigations also revealed that the suspects were involved in a drug syndicate that was active in Malaysia and Indonesia.