Man nabbed for attempt to kidnap Singaporean child

JOHOR BAHRU – A man was arrested while three others are still being tracked down over the attempted kidnapping of a seven-year-old Singaporean boy, here at about 4.30pm on Monday.

Johor Bahru South District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said the 41-year-old man was arrested in front of Taman Pelangi Police Station, on the same day.

"The man who is also the main suspect has also been remanded for seven days from Dec 13 to Dec 19, 2023.

"He was later charged in the Johor Bahru Magistrate's Court under Section 363 of the Penal Code on Tuesday," he said, adding that the man was a mechanic and runs his own business at home.

On Wednesday, Singaporean newspaper Mothership reported the incident which went viral on social media.

The report also published the face of the child's father who reportedly suffered several injuries while trying to save his son from being kidnapped.

Meanwhile, Raub said, investigation revealed the main suspect was a partner of the victim's father who, along with three other suspects who were still at large, had planned to kidnap the seven-year-old child.

"The main suspect also planned to extort money (ransom), amounting to RM300,000 from the victim's father.

"However, no ransom was given to all the suspects because the police managed to arrest the main suspect," he said.