Police in Bali are reportedly looking into the claims of a Singaporean national who said he was extorted and held captive for six days by the owner of a hotel in Uluwatu.
The alleged victim, a 36-year-old Singaporean banker identified as PRV, filed a report against a man identified as MA at the South Kuta sub-precinct last Friday.
PRV’s legal representative, Reydi Nobel, told local media outlets that his client had been staying in Bali since February, during which time he stayed at a number of hotels across the island. PRV had been staying at the hotel in question — the name of which has not been disclosed — for about a month, and claimed to have been locked up in the last week.
According to reports, PRV often dined with MA during his stay, and eventually the latter asked him to invest IDR350 million (US$23,900) into a property, which PRV refused.
“The reported individual and his two colleagues asked for money from my client, although they never had an agreement or cooperation that involved signatures in any form,” Reydi said.
PRV claimed that the refusal angered MA, and he was moved to a room in the lower level of the hotel and locked from the outside. During the six days of alleged captivity, MA continued asking for money, the amount of which gradually decreased until PRV eventually agreed to giving him IDR150 million out of fear and pressure.
After agreeing to pay, PRV was released and duly reported the incident to the Singaporean embassy in Jakarta.
“The victim promised [the money] because he was afraid. He was unable to handle the pressure and so he reported [the incident] to the embassy and it was passed on to the South Kuta sub-precinct,” Reydi added.
Yusak Agustinus, who heads the South Kuta sub-precinct, confirmed that they received a report regarding this case and are conducting an investigation.
“Yes, it’s true there is this case. Our officers are still looking into whether this is true or false,” Yusak said.
Read more news and updates from Bali here.
Reader Interactions