Kuala lumpur: The High Court here today ordered the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to widen the search for Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, who has been accused of failing to return his youngest daughter to his ex-wife, M. Indira Gandhi. Justice Datuk Norsharidah Awang emphasized that the search should not be limited to Kelantan but should be extended across the entire country.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, ASP Yap Siew Cheng from the Perak Criminal Investigation Department was summoned to the court regarding an additional affidavit filed by Indira Gandhi. The affidavit concerns the use of Budi MADANI 95 (BUDI95) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) benefits by Muhammad Riduan, as part of judicial monitoring connected to the outstanding arrest warrant against him.

When questioned by Justice Norsharidah about the identification of the petrol station where Muhammad Riduan used BUDI95, Yap stated that investigations were still ongoing. She also explained that initial efforts were focused in Kelantan because Muhammad Riduan's second wife is from the state, and checks with the state education department previously indicated that his daughter was enrolled in a school there.

Yap added that the police have been carrying out further investigative steps regarding the committal warrant dated May 30, 2014, to locate Muhammad Riduan, with efforts spanning from September 9 to November 17. The court has set February 27 next year for further updates.

In 2009, Muhammad Riduan converted the couple's three children to Islam without Indira Gandhi's consent and sought custody through the Syariah Court. On January 29, 2018, the Federal Court ruled that the conversions were null and void. The court also ordered the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Muhammad Riduan for defying the High Court's directive to return the youngest daughter to her mother.