The abduction of six-year-old Albertine Leo Jia Hui in Johor Bahru last Saturday, July 20, sent shockwaves across Malaysia.
Thanks to the collaborative efforts of citizens nationwide, five individuals believed to be involved in the kidnapping were swiftly apprehended.
However, today (Jul 26) it was reported that four of these suspects have been released from custody.
According to Malay Mail, Assistant Commissioner M. Kumarasan, the Iskandar Puteri police chief, confirmed that the four suspects, comprising two men and two women aged between 28 and 55, were granted police bail today.
Their initial four-day remand period came to an end, and the remand was not extended.
The release occurred at the Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters this morning.
Johor police chief M. Kumar had earlier indicated that if no new developments emerged, the initial four suspects would be granted police bail.
Albertine was reported missing at approximately 8.30 p.m. on July 20 while attending a festival at Johor.
In response to her disappearance, police made three arrests in the Gelang Patah area at 1.30 p.m. the following Monday—two men and a woman.
Another female suspect was apprehended at 12.15 a.m. the next day.
As the investigation progressed, police reclassified Albertine’s case from a missing person report to a kidnapping case.
Of the five suspects initially arrested, four were remanded for four days until today.
The fifth suspect, a 31-year-old man, was detained at 4.45 a.m. in a budget hotel in Batang Kali, Selangor, on Tuesday. He remains in police custody.
The investigation into the kidnapping continues as authorities seek further information.
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