It is learnt that the 30-year-old victim, who is also a Chinese citizen, was taken from a hotel in George Town and rescued from a house in Bukit Gambir. He was not injured.

Penang police chief Khaw Kok Chin said the four suspects, aged between 32 and 40 years old, were arrested around George Town today.

He said police received a report at about 6pm yesterday (March 7) from a Chinese woman that her husband had been kidnapped.

“Following that, a special team was established. Acting on information and intelligence, the victim was successfully rescued and four suspects were picked up,” he said.

“Although the payment (ransom) amounting to RM277,886 was made, we managed to rescue the victim,” he said.

He said police are actively hunting for three more suspects who are believed to be involved in the incident.

He added that the motive of the incident is still under investigation on whether it is related to personal problems, debt or kidnap for ransom.

All the arrested suspects were remanded for four days.