SMS about kidnap turned him into an accidental hero

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/10/nation/16274824&sec=nation

KUALA TERENGGANU: He was sipping coffee at a restaurant in Dungun when an SMS came from the MCA’s Crisis Relief Squad (CRSM).

What transpired following the SMS in November about a kidnapped 11-year-old girl in Selangor turned Dungun MCA vice-chairman Choo Meh Wah into a hero of sorts.

The SMS gave the mobile number of the suspected kidnapper and said the girl had been held captive for two days either in Kelantan, Pahang or Terengganu.


CITATION FOR BRAVERY: Choo (left) receiving the commendation certificate from Wanita MCA deputy chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun who was given the honour to present it on Fu’s (centre) behalf in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday.


Choo decided to dial the number and was surprised it was answered. He learnt that the man was also in Dungun.

“I was first unsure if the man was the kidnapper and decided to continue my conversation when he told me that he was from outstation,” said the 52-year-old Choo.

Choo decided to “lay a bait” and asked the man to meet him over a business plan. Both agreed to meet alone at a restaurant in Dungun.

However, he felt something amiss when the man said something about driving in a red car to the bus station “to drop someone off”.

Choo drove to the bus station and was surprised to see a man alighting from a red car with a girl and going into a Kuala Lumpur-bound bus via Kuantan.

“I at once SMS to CRSM members in Kuantan, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

“I contacted the Dungun police and reported about a suspected kidnapping,” he said.

While Choo and the man were meeting at the restaurant, CSRM members in Kuantan followed the bus.

The police arrived at the restaurant later and detained the man.

“The man told me that the girl was on her way to Kuala Lumpur where one of his accomplices was waiting for her,” he said

Choo said the CRSM members stopped the bus along the way and rescued the girl who was reunited with her family in Rawang. The man was handed over to Selangor police.

Choo is now heading the CSRM unit in Dungun.

He received his commendation certificate and appointment letter from Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow during the launc of the CRSM Terengganu chapter here yesterday.

The CRSM was formed following the aftermath of the tsunami two years ago.