Melaka Tengah police chief Christopher Patit said the 40-year-old suspect, who was driving a Perodua Kelisa, was detained at around 4am today in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

“The suspect admitted to taking the 17-year-old victim in the car to drive around Seremban, Ipoh, Bukit Mertajam and then to his village in Baling.

“No illegal items were found in the car of the suspect, who is a trader residing in Melaka,” Bernama quoted him as saying today.

Patit said the victim did not know the suspect. An initial examination found no injuries on the girl.

He said the suspect has a criminal record for a drug abuse offence under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

The case is being investigated under Section 363 of the Penal Code for kidnapping.

Earlier, media reports stated that the disabled teenager had gone missing after leaving her house to play at a nearby playground.