KOTA BARU, May 27 — The owner of a gold shop who was abducted in Tumpat on May 20 had allegedly been extorted and forced to pay protection money over the past two years.
According to Berita Harian, Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the 44-year-old victim lodged a police report after deciding he could no longer tolerate the threats.
“Earlier, the suspects had asked the victim to hand over 80 kilogrammes of gold worth approximately RM35 million,” Yusoff was quoted as saying.
The victim was said to have been abducted after refusing to comply with the demands and lodging the police report.
He was reportedly released later the same day.
Yusoff reportedly said the victim had previously refrained from coming forward due to concerns for his and his family’s safety.
Two suspects were arrested in separate operations on Monday night and early this morning, according to the report.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that one of the suspects has a prior criminal record related to drug offences.
The case is being investigated under Sections 395 and 397 of the Penal Code for gang robbery and armed robbery.
On May 20, a video of the abduction in Palekbang, Tumpat went viral, prompting a state-wide police operation to locate four suspects believed to be involved.