Man abducted, beaten by three men after failing to settle debt

KEPALA BATAS: An unemployed man was abducted by three men and sustained serious injuries after being beaten for failing to settle a debt in an incident at a traffic light intersection of Jalan Sungai Nyior, Butterworth yesterday.

Seberang Prai Utara district police chief ACP Noorzainy Mohd Noor said the police received a report from a woman, 48, who witnessed the incident that occurred at 5.38 pm.

"According to the complainant, a man ran out of a Proton Wira shouting for help, before two other suspects came out of the vehicle and dragged the victim back into the car, which then accelerated away,” he said in a press conference here today.

He said based on the police report, the police conducted an investigation before raiding a flat in Mak Mandin at 11.30 pm and arrested three men involved in the incident.

The victim, 38, was saved during the raid and was found to have suffered serious injuries to the head and bruises all over his body from being beaten.

"Noorzainy said investigations found the three men, aged 24 to 40, initially met the victim around Sungai Nyior at 5.30 pm because he promised to pay RM2,300 that he owed to one of the suspects’ wife.

"The victim failed to withdraw any money when they were at the bank because there was no money in his account.

"The suspect got angry and took the victim in the car till they reached the intersection, at which the victim tried to escape. The 40-year-old suspect had just been released from prison three months ago and claimed that the victim had an affair with his wife, 32, who is an online trader,” he said.

The victim and the three men were acquaintances and police investigations revealed all possessed prior records relating to criminal and drug offences. They also tested positive for drugs.

He said the three men had been remanded for five days beginning today and the cause would be investigated under Section 367 of the Penal Code for kidnapping.

-- BERNAMA