KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN police rescued a university student who was allegedly abducted, assaulted and held captive for 16 hours by the adopted son of a former Cabinet minister in an apartment in Mutiara Damansara.

The 24-year-old victim was freed about 1pm on Sunday after a six-man police team turned up at the apartment and spent about two hours persuading the man, who is her ex-boyfriend, to release her.

The woman, who is from Ipoh, sustained injuries in the head, face and hands as a result of the assault by the man.

The 25-year-old man, who is studying at the same university, was detained under Section 323 of the Penal Code for causing hurt.

Brickfields OCPD Asst Comm Wan Abdul Bari Wan Abdul Talib said police had taken statements from the man and the woman.

He said a police team was sent to the apartment after the victim's male friend lodged a report about 10am.

It is learnt that the woman had ended her relationship with the suspect following a misunderstanding.

According to her friend, he went out with her for dinner on Saturday before she drove him to his house in Bangsar.

'As she was about to start the car to leave about 9pm, a man got into it and asked her to drive away.

'I thought they had important matters to discuss but when she did not show up a few hours later, I became worried and tried in vain to call her Other friends also failed to reach her,' he said.

He said he lodged a report after she sent him an SMS for help at 9am. - Bernama