Businessman among three charged with kidnap of 5-year-old boy

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The victim’s father Lee Kim Wen (centre) and grandfather Lee Sui (right) thank Hanizan (left) at the magistrate’s court after the latter was released on police bond. — Bernama photo

The victim’s father Lee Kim Wen (centre) and grandfather Lee Sui (right) thank Hanizan (left) at the magistrate’s court after the latter was released on police bond. — Bernama photo

KAJANG: A businessman was among three men who were charged in the magistrates’ court here yesterday with kidnapping a five-year-old boy for a RM300,000 ransom.

Printing entrepreneur Siow Kek Keong, 44; Indonesian labourer Riduansyah Yahya, 32; and lorry driver Mohd Saifulamry Jarkasi, 28, nodded to acknowledge the joint charge read to them before Magistrate Abdul Jalil Salam Muhamad.

No plea were recorded from the three accused, pending transfer of the case to the High Court. They allegedly abducted the contractor’s son at the roadside at Jalan Seroja near Taman Setia, Sungai Chua here at 9.26am on Oct 9 before wrongfully confining him.

The charge under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read with Section 34 of the same Act, carries the death sentence or life imprisonment and liable to whipping, upon conviction.

The prosecution was represented by deputy public prosecutor S Abirami while Mohd Saifulamry, by counsel Fadzly Yaakob and Siow, by counsel Datuk Geethan Ram Vincent. Riduansyah was unrepresented. The victim’s father and family members were also present in court.

Meanwhile, taxi driver Hanizan Mohamed Radzi, 42, who rescued and returned the victim to the family but was subsequently remanded under Section 49 of the Criminal Procedure Code, was released yesterday on police bond.

“I want to thank the police for treating me well during my remand. I do not regret helping the community and I will do it again regardless of race,” he told reporters when met at the court lobby.

The victim’s father also approached and gave Hanizan a big hug, thanking him for his help, but declined to talk to reporters.

Earlier, there was a slight tension at the same lobby when a man approached the victim’s father and allegedly ‘demanded’ an explanation.

“My brother saved your son, but what did he get!” the man allegedly said, but was quickly subdued by other members of Hanizan’s family. — Bernama