The High Court in Kuala Lumpur has issued a warrant of arrest for Muhammad Iqmal Abdul Rahis, 31, one of eight individuals charged in connection with the alleged kidnapping of a Palestinian man as part of a scheme to develop software to hack mobile phones. The warrant was issued after Muhammad Iqmal failed to attend court proceedings on October 2.

Justice Mohd Arief Emran Arifin questioned Muhammad Iqmal’s bailor during the session regarding his whereabouts. The bailor reported that attempts to find Muhammad Iqmal at an oil palm plantation were unsuccessful and confirmed that a police report had been filed. Deputy public prosecutor Zailin Nadia Zubir stated that police had been unable to locate the accused since September 11. Officers visited Tanjung Sepat in Kuala Langat and spoke with Muhammad Iqmal’s father, who said his son had not been home since January. The search for Muhammad Iqmal is ongoing.

Following the failure to locate the suspect, Justice Mohd Arief Emran forfeited the RM50,000 bail previously granted to him.

The other seven accused in the case are Tengku Arif Bongsu Tengku Hamid, 45; Mohamad Naziree Mustapha, 45; Faizull Hardey Mohd Isa, 47; Mohd Zaidi Mohd Zain, 60; Nidarahayu Zainal, 40; Raibafie Amdan, 45; and Edy Ko’im Said, 46. The trial began on July 7, 2025, and is scheduled to continue on October 12, 2026.

According to the charge sheets, the eight individuals are accused of abducting the 31-year-old victim jointly to obtain confidential information related to creating and disabling computer software designed for hacking mobile phones. The alleged kidnapping occurred on Jalan Mayang on September 28, 2022.

Under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961, the offense carries a sentence of 30 to 40 years imprisonment and whipping upon conviction.