BUKIT MERTAJAM, MALAYSIA: A 36-year-old man, who was abducted by four men for allegedly not repaying a RM30,000 debt ($13,125), was rescued six hours after his wife alerted the police.

Police arrested five men, aged between 25 and 44, after rescuing the man in Kulim, Kedah.

Central Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Anil Shah Abdullah said the men abducted the victim near a wood factory in Simpang Ampat here at about 8am on Monday.

"His wife was sending him to work in a car which was followed by the men. When the couple arrived at the factory, the four ran towards the car and forced the man out and bundled him into their car.

"They told his wife that the man was being taken away as he had failed to settle a loan taken from a loan shark about two years ago," said ACP Anil Shah.

He said his wife received a call about 9.30am for RM30,000 to be paid to secure his release. She then alerted the police.

ACP Anil Shah said police arrested five men in Kulim following the report.

"Following their arrest, police recovered a stun gun, wooden sticks and iron rods," he said, adding that the suspects have been remanded for a week to facilitate investigations.