Four nabbed over RM50,000 extortion

> Suspects threaten to burn construction site if contractor fails to meet demand

KUALA LUMPUR: Four men have been arrested for allegedly extorting RM50,000 from a contractor, failing which they threatened to burn down the construction site.

Sentul district police chief ACP R. Munusamy said in the Tuesday incident, the four had threatened 45-year-old contractor who was on duty at the site in Taman Pelangi.

“The suspects told the contractor if he failed to pay RM50,000 as a protection fee, he won’t be able to continue his construction work.

“The group also threatened to burn down the construction site if he failed to meet their demands,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

The contractor refused to comply with the group’s demand and lodged a police report.

Munusamy said the Sentul police antivice, gaming and secret society division (D7) initiated an investigation under Section 385 of the Penal Code for extortion.

“Following the probe, police detained four men, aged between 22 and 32, in Taman Pelangi at 3pm on Wednesday.”

The men admitted that they were involved in the extortion case.

Munusamy advised the public not to pay anyone who claimed to offer protection for their businesses.

“They should lodge a police report and let police investigate and arrest the suspects,” he said

Abdul Rani (third from left) with police and council personnel looking at a pile of advertising materials belonging to Ah Longs seized during the operation. in Ipoh.