Johor Bahru Selatan police chief Raub Selamat confirmed receiving a report on the incident.

“We’ve received the report and are investigating the case under Section 363 of the Penal Code for kidnapping and Section 324 for voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

Earlier, the victim said the incident occurred at around 6pm yesterday while he and his friend were walking home after a badminton session.

He said they were approached by six men who forcibly grabbed them and made them get into two separate vehicles.

“While in the car, my head was covered with a cloth. I was slapped and beaten several times. They later stopped at a secluded area and dragged me out of the vehicle.

“There, a group of people was already waiting, some of whom I recognised from school. They started hitting me, including with sticks.

“They also stripped me and took photos to use as blackmail, threatening to leak the images unless I agreed to join their gang,” he told a press conference at Stulang assemblyman Chen Kah Eng’s office in Johor Bahru.

The teenager, who sustained injuries on his face, head, arms and body, said he eventually gave in and agreed to join the gang.

He said the gang also threatened to harm his family if he told anyone or reported the matter to the police.

“They had been trying to recruit me since Form One, but it used to be just verbal persuasion.

“This time, they resorted to violence,” he said, adding that he is now too afraid to return to school.