Suspended Policeman And Two Others Charged With Kidnapping

SUNGAI PETANI (Kedah, Malaysia), March 29 (Bernama) -- A policeman, who was suspended due to drug addiction, and two car wash workers were charged at the Magistrate Court here today with kidnapping a man on March 15. Mohd Rani Zakaria, 50, Jefri Abdullah, 28, and Mohamad Shukri Ibrahim, 32, were charged with kidnapping and confining Zulkifli Dahlan, 23, for a RM40,000 (US$13,023.32) ransom. The trio, however, pleaded not guilty and claimed trial after the charge was read to them before Magistrate Mohd Khairul Hafizuddin Ramli. They were arrested after receiving the ransom from a member of the victim's family near Jalan Duta toll plaza in Kuala Lumpur, two days after the kidnapping. The trio were alleged to have kidnapped Zulkifli in front of Akasia Hotel, Kuala Muda, Kedah and confined him at Istana Hotel, Klang, Selangor with the intention of getting a ransom of RM40,000 (US$13,028.32). They were charged under Section (1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping upon conviction. All accused were denied bail and April 25 was set for mention. -- BERNAMA