JOHOR BARU — The police have arrested seven men over their alleged involvement in the Jan 27 kidnapping of a Singapore businessman for a RM1 million (S$331,000) ransom.

Johor police chief Mohd Khalil Mohd Kader, when contacted, confirmed the kidnapping but declined to comment further, saying that the police need to make more arrests.

Khalil said he will give details on the kidnapping in a media conference on Thursday (Feb 7).

A source told The Malaysian Insight that the Singaporean, a vegetable trader in his 50s, was kidnapped in Gelang Patah, Johor.

The source said the group then demanded a RM1 million ransom from the businessman’s family, who paid the sum on Jan 31 over fears for his safety. He was freed a day later.

“The police operation to trace the suspects started as soon as words were received that the victim was already free and safe,” the source said.

The source said the seven men, all Malaysians, were picked in operations mounted by Johor police and a special major crimes unit from Bukit Aman on Friday and Saturday.

Part of the ransom was reportedly recovered in the police operations.

The police reportedly recovered “several weapons” from the men.

The source said the men are being investigated under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961 and the Firearms Act 1960. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT