JOHOR BARU: The family of a businessman has paid a RM20mil ransom to secure his release from a group of kidnappers.
According to China Press, the 59-year-old developer was scheduled to go on a business trip when the incident took place around 5am on Sunday (Oct 13).
He was putting on his shoes outside his house here before calling for his ride to the Senai Airport when three men clad in face masks appeared.
One of the men hit him with a stick, another covered his head with a cloth and another forced him at gunpoint into a car and tied up his hands.
The kidnappers also left a handphone outside his house.
The victim was taken to an unknown house after an estimated 10-minute car ride.
In the house, the kidnappers uncovered his head and contacted his family via the phone left at the doorstep, demanding a RM30mil ransom.
After negotiating, the family brought the random down to RM20mil.
The victim's family raised RM5mil and left the cash at a housing estate in Taman Perling here while the rest was transferred to an account through a Singaporean friend.
The victim was released 14 hours later.
In his police report, the victim said there were four kidnappers, including a woman. However, he did not know their nationalities.
When contacted, Johor police chief Datuk M. Kumar said such serious cases would require thorough investigation from all angles before releasing a press statement.
