Kuala Lumpur - A Malaysian doctor seized a mother and her newborn son from their home and held them to ransom for 12 days in her maternity clinic because the husband could not settle the medical bill, reports said on Thursday.
Mother and son were finally released on Tuesday after the husband complained to police, the Sun newspaper said.
But the woman doctor demanded an extra 1 060 ringgit (about R1 841), on top of the balance of 1 900 ringgit previously owed for "room charges" for 12 days, Wednesday's Malay Mail reported.
The tabloid said Nida Abdullah, 30, gave birth on March 14. She was discharged after her husband made part payment of the 4 500 ringgit bill and promised to settle the rest later.
Nine days later the doctor and a nurse came to their house to demand payment in full.
The husband left to get the money. When he did not return after a few hours the doctor forced both mother and baby into her car and took them back to the clinic on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, the Malay Mail said.
Two other two children were left alone in the house.
The Sun quoted a Malaysian Medical Council official as saying disciplinary action could be taken against the doctor if the victims lodged a report. It was not clear if police would take any action.
Thursday's Malay Mail quoted Deputy Health Minister Suleiman Mohamad as saying he would raise the case in cabinet. Officials were not available for comment as Thursday is a public holiday. - Sapa-AFP