A cyber-café cashier who was kidnapped, beaten and had ‘Saya hina Islam’ (I insulted Islam)’ scrawled on his torso by his abductors has denied that he had insulted any religion online, let alone Islam.
Speaking to reporters in Klang today, Ng Mun Tatt claimed that his abductors had written the words on his body as a clever ruse to confuse those who may have wanted to help him.
Ng, 21, also claimed his kidnappers had said that, even if he was found, the words on his chest would lead others to presume that he was beaten up for insulting Islam and that they would subject him to further beatings.
His ordeal started at about 4.30am on Monday while he was having drinks with his girlfriend Rachel Leong at a restaurant at Shah Alam, Selangor.
He said two men asked in Malay if he was "Ah Keong". Before he could answer, they dragged him into a Proton Saga where he was blindfolded and placed on the floor of the car.
Leong, who was at the press conference, said she was scared for her Ng's safety and could not do anything. She said other patrons in the restaurant froze as well.
She waited at the restaurant and saw one of the assailants come back about 10 minutes later with three others, and that she can recognise them if she sees them again.
Ng said that, during the journey, he was beaten and could not fight back. He was taken to an apartment where he was beaten again, mostly on his upper body. He said wooden poles were also used.
Following this, the abductors called his brother-in-law to demand RM5,000 in ransom. The amount was eventually reduced to RM3,000 and banked into Ng's account.
However, when the abductors tried to retrieve the money, Ng could not recall his ATM PIN. He said he had suffered memory loss since an accident some years ago.
After his abductors beat him up again, they took him to an oil palm estate. He later managed to escape, but did not say how.
Ng said he was so parched that consumed water from a drain during his getaway.
‘Photos online caused damage’
Eventually, he made his way to the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway, where a motorcyclist took him to safety.
Ng, who then went to the police station, said he does not know who took photographs of his naked upper torso and uploaded these online.
His mother, Tan Kit Fang, told reporters that that photograph had caused her son more “damage” than the beatings. She expressed the hope that the authorities will locate the person responsible.
Ng also denied allegations that the kidnapping had any links with Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee, the infamous bloggers now being probed by the authorities for insulting Muslims.
The press conference was organised by Klang-based social activist Peter Tan and held at his house.
Speaking to reporters in Klang today, Ng Mun Tatt claimed that his abductors had written the words on his body as a clever ruse to confuse those who may have wanted to help him.Ng, 21, also claimed his kidnappers had said that, even if he was found, the words on his chest would lead others to presume that he was beaten up for insulting Islam and that they would subject him to further beatings.
His ordeal started at about 4.30am on Monday while he was having drinks with his girlfriend Rachel Leong at a restaurant at Shah Alam, Selangor.
He said two men asked in Malay if he was "Ah Keong". Before he could answer, they dragged him into a Proton Saga where he was blindfolded and placed on the floor of the car.
Leong, who was at the press conference, said she was scared for her Ng's safety and could not do anything. She said other patrons in the restaurant froze as well.
She waited at the restaurant and saw one of the assailants come back about 10 minutes later with three others, and that she can recognise them if she sees them again.
Ng said that, during the journey, he was beaten and could not fight back. He was taken to an apartment where he was beaten again, mostly on his upper body. He said wooden poles were also used. Following this, the abductors called his brother-in-law to demand RM5,000 in ransom. The amount was eventually reduced to RM3,000 and banked into Ng's account.
However, when the abductors tried to retrieve the money, Ng could not recall his ATM PIN. He said he had suffered memory loss since an accident some years ago.
After his abductors beat him up again, they took him to an oil palm estate. He later managed to escape, but did not say how.
Ng said he was so parched that consumed water from a drain during his getaway.
‘Photos online caused damage’
Eventually, he made his way to the Duta-Ulu Klang Expressway, where a motorcyclist took him to safety.
Ng, who then went to the police station, said he does not know who took photographs of his naked upper torso and uploaded these online.
His mother, Tan Kit Fang, told reporters that that photograph had caused her son more “damage” than the beatings. She expressed the hope that the authorities will locate the person responsible. Ng also denied allegations that the kidnapping had any links with Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee, the infamous bloggers now being probed by the authorities for insulting Muslims.
The press conference was organised by Klang-based social activist Peter Tan and held at his house.
The police have detained four individuals in relation to investigations.
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