JOHOR BARU: The motive behind the July 20 abduction of six-year-old Albertine Leo Jia Hui from the Bon Odori festival at Eco Galleria in Iskandar Puteri is still being investigated.
Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said the remand of the primary suspect was extended yesterday, and investigations are ongoing.
"The motive will be revealed once investigations are completed. I do not want to disclose anything that might interfere with the process," he told the media after the police monthly assembly at the Johor Police Contingent Headquarters' parade ground today.
He added that every crime has a motive, and premature disclosure could disrupt the investigative process.
Commissioner Kumar also said that the girl is safe and, according to health reports, has sustained no physical injuries.
Yesterday, the primary suspect, a 31-year-old man, was remanded until Sunday. He was arrested with the victim in a budget hotel room in Batang Kali, Selangor, on July 23.
Four other suspects, aged between 28 and 55, were previously detained and remanded for four days until last Friday, after which they were released on police bail without an extension of their remand period.
Albertine Leo was reported missing at 8.30pm on July 20 at the Eco Galleria business centre.
Following her disappearance, police arrested three suspects—two men and a woman—in Gelang Patah on July 22 to assist with the investigation.
The case was reclassified from a missing person investigation to a kidnapping.