Investigations into kidnap of housewife almost complete

Investigations on 13 people detained in connection with the recent kidnapping of a housewife here are almost complete, say the Johor police.

Its police deputy chief, Datuk Mohd Zakaria Ahmad said upon completion of their remand period on March 27, the investigation papers would be handed over to the deputy public prosecutor for further action.

"The other six suspects who were detained in Batam, Indonesia...(the federal police headquarters in) Bukit Aman is handling the matter.

"This is because they (the six) are Indonesians and were arrested there, so we cannot just bring them back as yet...we have to follow the legal process of that country before we can take action here," he added.

Mohd Zakaria was speaking to reporters after the 210th Police Day Parade at the Johor police contingent headquarters level here today.

On Feb 21, a housewife in her 40s was kidnapped from her home in Johor Bahru and taken to Batam.

After 27 days, with the help of the Indonesian police, she was rescued from a farmhouse in Batam.

Subsequently, 19 suspects were arrested, 12 in Johor Bahru, six in Batam and another at the Yong Peng toll plaza near Batu Pahat.

-- BERNAMA