Singapore trader pays RM21m to ransom family

February 27, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 A Singaporean businessman was forced to pay a RM21 million ransom to release his family after they were kidnapped in Johor Baru, reigniting fears of visiting the neighbouring city among residents of the island state.The mans wife, daughter and maid were driving home when they were forced off the road by another vehicle in the capital of Johor recently before the kidnappers took over the vehicle and held hostage.Reports say that this may be the largest ransom payment in Malaysia in recent years and despite government claims that crime in Malaysia has dropped by 16 per cent, this latest episode will mar public confidence in crime prevention.Police sources said that the kidnappers sent a picture via MMS of the three victims being held at gunpoint before demanding a whopping SGD50 million (RM115 million) in ransom.They also warned the man not to alert the police but after negotiations, the kidnappers agreed to SGD9 million in large denominations of Singaporean currency.The businessman, who is involved in real estate and gaming, was reported to have driven to a plantation in Kulaijaya to drop off the money.Sources said that the victims were only released two days after the ransom was paid and were blindfolded and gagged during the ordeal.However, they were eventually returned unharmed around Danga Bay.A police taskforce has launched a manhunt for the kidnappers, who are believed to have been involved in similar cases around the country.Interpol has also been roped in to help with the investigations as police believe that the suspects could have fled the country.The government has been working hard to reduce crime in hot spots like Johor.Over 14,000 police officers were mobilised last year to 50 areas in Johor, Penang and the Klang Valley along with the installation of 496 CCTV cameras.The government claims that crime fell by 16 per cent last year but high profile cases like these continue to weigh heavily in the minds of the public and authorities concede that ! many peo ple are still not convinced that crime has been reduced.From January till November 2010, crime has dropped to 157,000 recorded cases from the 180,000 during the corresponding period last year.