Timur Laut police chief Razlam Ab Hamid said the five suspects, aged between 20 and 35, were arrested during a raid in Shah Alam, Selangor yesterday, adding that they were also Bangladeshi nationals.

“Initial investigations found that a man working as a cleaner in George Town received a call demanding a ransom if he wanted his kidnapped son to be safe,” he said, adding that the suspects demanded RM200,000 from him.

“Concerned about his son’s safety, he then lodged a police report,” Razlam said today.

He said the five suspects have been placed under a four-day remand to assist in the investigation under Section 365 of the Penal Code for kidnapping.

Police are investigating whether the case involves other suspects or is part of a syndicate targeting foreign nationals, he added.