KUCHING: The abnormal behaviour of her son and the loss of a few thousand ringgit in household items, including a Rolex watch and jewellery, has led a family to an astonishing truth — that their son has been extorted in school.

Astonishing as it may be, the extortionists comprise a Form Two student and a transition class student from the same school, who are believed to be members of a drugs syndicate.

The two are currently being detained for a urine test.

Two outsiders have also been detained since a police report was lodged on Sunday to facilitate investigation.

According to the victim’s mother, Chen, 38, her son (name not disclosed) started showing an abnormal behaviour since August last year.

Her son is also a Form Two student at the school.

Chen said the behaviour of her son, who used to be very active, turned from bad to worst two months ago as he would lock himself inside his room after school and refused to eat or sleep.

The ‘moment of truth’ finally surfaced when the victim’s father (name not given) was looking for his Rolex watch, but could not find it.

Following that, members of the family started to question the boy, and after several questionings, he finally revealed the truth.

The family then lodged a police report last Sunday and the boy’s grandfather went to the school on Monday to tell the school principal about the incident.

Yesterday, Chen and her father Chen Vun Nyap (the victim’s grandfather) met with Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen at DAP headquarters to narrate their nightmare.

They estimated their total loss at more than RM30,000, including a missing laptop.

Chen said her son has been sick for the last few weeks due to the stress he suffered and is seriously considering to transfer him to another school.

Chong, who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman, said there might be other students experiencing a similar fate but chose to suffer in silence.

He expressed hope that the school principal and the authorities would quickly tackle the problem, adding that the incident at the school could be just a tip of the iceberg.

“There is a possibility that similar incidents are also happening in other schools, so it is hoped that the school authority be more proactive,” Chong said.

He hoped the police and Education Department will investigate the incident at the school thoroughly and not sweep the problem under the carpet.