Slipping Across the Border: Transnational Kidnappings in Malaysia

The recent high-profile kidnappings of a Malaysian pastor, and the wife of a wealthy Chinese-Malaysian businessman by organised crime groups highlight the threat of traditional kidnapping in the country. In particular, the sophistication and transnational nature of these organised crime groups’ operations have placed increased scrutiny on regional efforts by Malaysian, Indonesian and Filipino authorities to improve regional cooperation on cross-border security issues.

Footage of the pastor’s kidnapping has demonstrated the sophistication of Malaysian kidnap gangs. In an operation involving eight kidnappers and three black SUVs, the assailants managed to intercept the victim’s car, abduct the victim, and flee the scene, all within a matter of 40 seconds. Over a month later, no ransom demands have yet been made, although an individual posing as the kidnappers attempted to extort money from the victim’s family. Police assert that the high level of public interest in the case is hindering their investigation and preventing the kidnappers from coming forward with a ransom demand, thereby putting the victim’s life at risk.

Kidnappings for ransom by organised crime groups occur sporadically in Malaysia, with recent incidents reported in Kuala Lumpur, Bandar Putra and Johor Baru. Most kidnappings target locals, and in particular members of the country’s Chinese minority due to their perceived levels of wealth. Family members of wealthy local businesspeople are particularly attractive targets, with ransoms often exceeding USD 1 million. In addition, kidnapping gangs operating in Sabah Province, on the northern most tip of Borneo Island, frequently target foreign tourists, often selling on victims to Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants based in the southern Philippines. ASG currently has 29 hostages, 21 of whom are foreign nationals, including Malaysians.

Malaysia’s porous borders with Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia facilitate a range of criminal activities, including transnational kidnappings.  Porous borders and weak policing allow transnational criminal and militant groups operating in the region to transport victims, usually in speedboats, from one jurisdiction to another. For example, on 21 February, the wife of a wealthy Chinese-Malaysian businessman was kidnapped from her home in Bandar Putra Kulai, Johor Province, and transported by boat to a farm in Batam, Indonesia, where she was held hostage for 27 days. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of USD 3 million, which was subsequently paid. After the victim was not released, Malaysian and Indonesian authorities launched a successful rescue operation on 19 March, arresting 18 Malaysian and Indonesian suspects.

Since 2016, Malaysian, Indonesian and Filipino authorities have announced various regional security cooperation  measures aimed at securing shared borders against drug-trafficking and terrorism. Whilst these measures are not specifically aimed at curbing transnational kidnappings, enhanced security in border regions is likely to partially mitigate this threat by making it harder for gangs or militants to transport victims from one country to another. However, further isolated incidents are expected as kidnap groups retain considerable strategic capabilities and will likely continue to be able to evade authorities in the region’s myriad and sparsely populated island chains.