The relatives of a Bahraini student kidnapped in Malaysia are still in the dark about his fate.

Ali Ahmed Al Nashaba, 20, was snatched from his Linton university campus in Kuala Lumpur by three men on Tuesday morning.

His parents were given 24 hours to pay 20,000 Malaysian ringgit (around BD2,260) to his abductors or they would chop his fingers off, but have heard nothing from the kidnappers since.

The Royal Malaysian Police, in co-ordination with Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Ministry, launched a search and earlier said they were closing in on his captors.

The kidnappers have issued threats to the family via the victim's cousin, who was his roommate at Linton University, where he was studying electrical engineering.

"His roommates are worried as they haven't received any calls since Wednes-day," said a Malaysian policewoman investigating the case.

"One of his roommates, who is also his cousin, told us that he tried calling back the number but it's switched off and can't be reached.

"We couldn't locate the kidnappers and now they have probably changed their number."

Ali's father Ahmed Al Nashaba earlier made a heartfelt appeal to Bahraini and Malaysian authorities to find his son before he is harmed.

Bahrain does not have an embassy in Malaysia so the country's diplomatic mission in Thailand is co-ordinating with authorities in Kuala Lumpur.

It is understood officials from Bahrain Embassy in Thailand have travelled to Malaysia to assist local authorities.

Police have asked the student's family not to send any money to the kidnappers.

Concerned

They also urged his elder brother, Fathi, in Bahrain to cancel his plans to travel to Malaysia as he could put himself at risk.

"It's been 36 hours and there is no news about Ali and we are concerned," he said.

"We don't know where the kidnappers are hiding and if they are feeding him or not.

"We also have no clue if they allow him to sleep, sit or just tied and locked him in a room."

The General Director of Anti-Corruption and Economic and Electronic Security yesterday said Interior Minister Lieutenant-General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa has ordered to follow up the case.

Malaysian security organisations were contacted to get details about the case and steps were taken to ensure the wellbeing of the student.

He said that the ministry provided Malaysian authorities with information obtained from the father of the student. The minister is co-ordinating with the Foreign Ministry.-TradeArabia News Service