The kidnappers of a Bahraini student in Malaysia have increased their ransom demand from BD2,260 to BD3,000 ($5,966 to $7,920).

The Royal Malaysian Police in co-ordination with Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Ministry are searching for 20-year-old Ali Ahmed Al Nashaba, who studies electrical engineering at Linton University in Kuala Lumpur, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

He was snatched from his university campus 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 threatened to chop his fingers off.

Relatives say the kidnappers are contacting Ali's cousin in Malaysia daily with new demands. "Our point of contact is our cousin in Malaysia who has been contacted by the kidnappers," said Fathi Ahmed Al Nashaba, Ali's elder brother.

"The kidnappers called on Thursday night and increased the ransom amount to BD3,000, which we are ready to pay but they haven't told us how to proceed," he added.

The elder brother said a team from the Interior Ministry is expected to reach Malaysia today noon and start their investigation.-TradeArabia News Service