RM30mil ransom: Woman rescued, kidnappers killed

IPOH- A 52-year-old woman was rescued on Sunday, 11 days after she was kidnapped by four armed men from her home in Taiping.

State police chief Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahalan said a team, led by his deputy Datuk A. Paramasivam, was set up after the victim was taken from her home on Dec 26.

"Acting on a tip-off, police stormed a former latex selling site at Km76, Jalan Sitiawan-Taiping, Trong, on Sunday at 9.45pm and rescued the victim. When we found her, she had minor injuries," he said.

The woman, whose family has business interests in the state, was released after being given the green light by Taiping Hospital doctors yesterday.

Shukri said two of the kidnappers, aged between 30 and 40, were shot dead during the operation.

"Their 33-year-old accomplice was arrested in Kamunting at 4am in a follow-up investigation. We have obtained a seven-day remand order on the suspect," he said, adding police were still looking for the remaining kidnapper.

From the hideout, police seized a Walther .22 semi-automatic pistol, a live bullet, three spent bullet casings, a toy pistol, 44 ball bearings, two pairs of handcuffs, a ski mask and a pair of gloves.

"The kidnappers had demanded a RM30 million ransom from the victim's family," he said, adding police were investigating if the ransom had been paid.

"We are still waiting for the opportunity to speak to the victim, who is still traumatised by the incident."

- New Straits Times