M'sian Is Kidnapped By Friend Of 10 Years & Sold To Syndicate In Myanmar
There, he was tortured and held for ransom.
By May Vin Ang — 11 Jul 2024, 11:16 AM
A Malaysian man was recently rescued after being deceived, kidnapped, and held for ransom for two months in Myanmar
According to the New Straits Times, the 37-year-old victim, who wanted to be known as Law, said he was deceived by a friend whom he had known for almost 10 years.
"He offered me an all-expense paid trip to Bangkok, Thailand, in May to attend a religious ritual and for a holiday," Law told reporters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after arriving back in Malaysia on Tuesday, 9 July.
"In Thailand, he took me to a car and gave me a bottle of water to drink. I later passed out," he said.
The victim, Law (first from right), with Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim (second from right) at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Tuesday, 9 July.
Image via Harapandaily (Facebook)Law said that when he regained consciousness, he was on a boat heading to an unknown location.
He later learnt that he was being taken to Thai border town Mae Sot, then Myanmar.
There, he was held hostage, and was also cut and beaten while in captivity. The syndicate had demanded a ransom of RM50,000 from his family.
"They beat me with sticks and metal rods. They also slit my left wrist and neck.
"There was another Malaysian and four Chinese nationals held hostage with me. If we wanted to go back, the captors said our families must pay the ransom," he said.
Hishamuddin showing the scars Law had gotten on his wrist, neck, and feet.
Image via Harapandaily (Facebook)Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO) secretary-general Datuk Hishamuddin Hashim said Law was lucky to have escaped and met a Myanmar soldier who was fluent in Malay to help him
Hishamuddin said his organisation had liased with the soldier to keep Law safe, while they negotiated with the Myanmar authorities to bring him home. They had also informed Law's family to not pay the ransom.
Their successful negotiations led to Law's safe return to Malaysia.
At the press conference in KLIA, Hishamuddin reminded Malaysians to be wary of free travel and job offers, especially those in Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
