KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police in Johor have reported that they believe the suspects involved in the kidnapping and ransom of a Singapore journalist's family were “high on drugs” when they committed the crime on July 1. Police said, in a report published by The Straits Times on Sunday, that the alleged criminals were also in drugged when they were apprehended last Wednesday. Johor police chief Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff told reporters at a press conference held for Malaysia and Singapore media that the three people are believed to be involved in 14 other cases, including vehicle theft, robbery and drugs. Despite the incident, former Singapore television journalist Rita Zahara said she would return to the country despite what had happened to her and her family. “This bad experience won't deter me from visiting Johor again. Crime happens anywhere and it is unfair to label Johor and Malaysia as a crime haven. My family and I are not scared to visit again," she said during a press conference where police announced the arrest of three men in connection to the case on Saturday. “I applaud the Malaysian police for their professionalism and how they acted swiftly to nab the suspects within three days," she said. The 37-year-old Zahara was the victim of an attempted kidnapping, extortion and bribery situation in Johor on July 1. She went to buy fruits late in the evening and when she returned to where she had parked her car, her 19-year-old sister, two children aged 11 and 6 as well as her maid were missing. When Zahara called her sister's mobile phone, the suspect answered and allegedly asked for money in return for her family. The suspect later released the group at a residential area in Ulu Tiram and drove away with the car and valuables inside worth RM200,000 (S$80,176). The Singapore journalist said her two young children were still traumatized by the incident. Police believe they have apprehended the criminals, in a case that has shocked Singapore and their Malaysia neighbor. “It is scary and I am not sure I want to go to Malaysia anytime soon," said housewife Monica, whose husband often has business dealings in Johor. “I would be fearful for my children," she told Bikyamasr.com. Deputy Comm Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff said last week that they had recovered some of Rita's stolen items, but police also seized a pump gun with three live bullets, two pistols and a fake police emblem. “The men were nabbed during raids at three separate houses in Felda Ulu Tebrau between 5am and noon on Wednesday," he said. The suspects have been detained pending investigation.
