SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA: The High Court described as "despicable" the act of two men who chained a woman to the wall for four days.

Judicial commissioner Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim told them that kidnapping was a serious offence involving the liberty of a person.

"This (chaining the victim to the wall) act by the accused cannot be defended," he said.

"It is the most despicable act done to another human being.

"Therefore, a deterrent sentence must be meted. It must be punitive to teach the accused a lesson and to relay a message to would-be offenders."

Abang Iskandar said the issue of public interest was the most important factor for him to consider in sentencing the two men.

This incident, he said, had left the victim traumatised until today, judging from a letter she wrote to the court.

Ng Seng Chai, 54, a mosaic layer, and Chong Leong Mok, 50, unemployed, pleaded guilty to kidnapping Bee Yee Pheng, then 28, in front of her house at No 2, Jalan Mulia in Banting at 11.45pm on Jan 13, 2005.

Abang Iskandar yesterday sentenced Ng to six years' jail and Chong to five years' jail. He ordered the jail terms to run from the date of their arrest. Ng was arrested on Feb 15, 2006, while Chong was arrested the following day.

According to the facts, Bee was kidnapped while she was opening the gate of her house. She was taken in a car to a house in Banting where she was confined for four days.

Her eyes were blindfolded with masking tape and her hands chained to the wall.

Her kidnappers had demanded RM500,000 ransom from her husband and family.

Bee, who helps run her husband's business which deals with exporting and importing agricultural products, was released after the money was paid.

Ng and Chong were initially charged with kidnapping under the Kidnapping Act which carries the death penalty, but changed their plea after the prosecution offered a reduced charge under the Penal Code, which carries a maximum seven years' jail and a fine.

Ng had four previous convictions.