Singaporean Fugitive and Girlfriend Rescued After Kidnapping in Johor

A Singaporean man wanted by authorities and his girlfriend were rescued in Johor after allegedly being kidnapped and held for ransom, with six Malaysians arrested over the case.

The man, aged 32, had allegedly entered Malaysia illegally around May after breaching parole for a drug-related offence in Singapore. His 28-year-old Singaporean girlfriend later joined him in Johor.

Malaysian police said one of the suspects knew the man and had initially helped him after he entered the country.

The group allegedly later turned on the couple, holding them captive and demanding S$80,000 from the man's mother in Singapore.

The man was slashed on both thighs, while his mother received an image showing him blindfolded and bound.

The ransom was eventually negotiated down to S$25,000, with S$5,000 transferred in advance.

After his mother alerted Singapore police, authorities from both countries worked together to track the suspects.

On Aug 11, Malaysian police arrested a suspect during a planned ransom exchange at a supermarket in Nusa Bestari, Iskandar Puteri, and rescued the couple. Further raids led to five more arrests.

Police seized cash, mobile phones, jewellery, a Rolex watch, a gold chain and a car, with the total haul valued at about RM264,440.

Five suspects reportedly had previous criminal or drug records, while four tested positive for drugs.

Both Singaporeans also tested positive for methamphetamine following their rescue.

The man has been detained under Malaysia's Immigration Act over his alleged illegal entry, while authorities continue investigating the kidnapping and how he entered the country without documents.