A CYCLING trip at a Malaysian plantation for two women turned scary when one of them was kidnapped.
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| THE LOOT: Johor police chief Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff (holding money) showing the ransom which police recovered. The police is looking for Mr Chew Ern Tik to help in their investigations. |
Madam Tay Juan, 55, was held for three nights.
The Malaysian was released only after her family paid a ransom of RM650,000 ($270,000) last week.
Madam Tay was with her sister-in-law, believed to be a Singaporean, when she was abducted.
Madam Tay usually goes cycling or for walks every evening near the plantation, which is secluded but connected to small lanes.
The oil palm plantation is not far from her home in Sungei Mati in Ledang, Johor.
On 22 Jun, her youngest brother, who has a construction firm in Singapore, and his wife went over from Singapore to visit his family, reported China Press.
Madam Tay's sister-in-law decided to accompany her that day. At about 6.30pm, the sister-in-law was cycling in front and Madam Tay was following her when they saw a car slowing down.
Hiding in the drain
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| SNATCHED: The oil palm plantation where Madam Tay was abducted and held captive for three days. PICTURE: GUANG MING DAILY |
When the sister-in-law turned around to look, she saw several men grab Madam Tay and push her into the car.
The sister-in-law quickly got off her bicycle, hid in a drain for a short while, and then ran to Madam Tay's home and called for help.
By the time the other family members reached the scene, they could only see Madam Tay's bicycle.
Later that day, the kidnappers called Madam Tay's family, who run an umbrella-making business, and demanded a ransom of RM1 million.
But they said they could not pay that much, and after much negotiation, the kidnappers settled for RM650,000.
The police were then called and a family member paid the ransom three days later.
It's not known why it took the family three days to pay up.
Madam Tay was released unhurt at about 6pm the same day on 25 Jun.
At 4.30pm the next day, police nabbed six suspects - five men and a woman - during a series of raids in Johor Baru.
When The New Paper contacted Johor police, they didn't comment, only saying that investigations are ongoing
Johor police deputy crime chief Raja Shaharom told The New Paper that the men, all aged between 19 and 35, are Malaysians and the woman is a 25-year-old Vietnamese factory worker.
He said one of the men had an earlier conviction for burglary. He had served a year's jail for that.
Madam Tay told China Press that the kidnappers held her prisoner in a makeshift tent at the plantation and only fed her instant noodles.
Her hands had blisters and were nearly blue-black from having been bound.
The New Paper was unable to contact Madam Tay or her family. One report said she has five children.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Johor police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said they were told of the kidnapping soon after the ransom demand and quickly formed small teams to investigate the case.
During the raids, he said police also seized RM560,000, believed to be part of the ransom, three limousines and 13 handphones.
Mr Mohd Mokhtar said the six suspects will be in police custody until Friday.
He said another suspect is still at large.
If found guilty of kidnapping, the suspects could face the death penalty or life imprisonment and caning.
Mr Mohd Mokhtar said police also want to contact Mr Chew Ern Tik, 39, a Malaysian, whom they believe can help in their investigations.
No other details of the man were revealed.
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