The High Court in Kuala Lumpur today postponed the hearing of a kidnap case involving Dutch national Nayati Shamelin Moodliar to Oct 21 to enable the boy to testify.

Judge Kamardin Hashim allowed the postponement following an application by deputy public prosecutor Nik Suhaimi Sulaiman.

Nik Suhaimi told the court that Nayati was now in South Africa and could only be present in the court on that date.

The court was also informed that the trial had to be postponed because deputy public prosecutor Jean Sharmila Jesudason, who is also prosecuting in the case, was ill.

So far, 15 witnesses had testified in the trial of Chong Tat Siong, 25, Foong Khar Fai, 20, both handphone traders, and unemployed Lee Phak Seng, 25, who are charged with kidnapping the boy with intention to extort ransom from his parents.

The offence was allegedly committed at Jalan Kiara 1, Mont Kiara, at 7.30am on April 27, 2012.

Nayati, 13, was released by his kidnappers at the Sungai Buloh rest and recreation area at 7.55 am on May 3, 2012, a week after he was abducted outside Mont Kiara International School.

Chong is represented by lawyer Rejinder Singh, while Foong and Lee by lawyers Hanif Hashim and KT Wong, respectively.

- Bernama