5 arrested in Indian-origin boy's kidnapping case in Malaysia

Malaysian police have arrested five persons, including a woman, in connection with the kidnapping of a 12-year-old Indian-origin boy, who was freed last week after his parents paid ransom to the kidnappers.

The five suspects were picked up by a special police task force set up to investigate the kidnapping of Nayati Moodliar, who was abducted while walking down to his neighbourhood school here on April 27.

Federal CID chief Bakri Zinin said police have arrested five suspects, including a woman. They were arrested in different operations in Kuala Lumpur and Perak yesterday.

He said the mastermind behind the kidnapping fled the country immediately after the boy was released and Malaysia would seek Interpol's help to track him down.

Sources said the USD 98,000 ransom was also recovered. Several others who are involved in the kidnapping are being sought.

Nayati's father Sham Moodliar is an Indian from South Africa while his mother is Caucasian and the child holds Dutch and South African nationality.

Nayati's kidnapping prompted premier Najib Razak to express concern via Twitter.

In a show of support, people from around the world flocked to a Facebook page set up to collect information on his whereabouts.

The kidnappers used Nayati's Facebook account to communicate with his father Shamelin Moodliar, Star daily said.