The founder of the Sheng Siong supermarket chain, whose mother was kidnapped and freed unhurt last Wednesday, has said he was probably targeted because of his high profile.

Mr Lim Hock Chee, who is also Sheng Siong's chief executive, often appears on variety show The Sheng Siong Show, which airs on Mediacorp's Channel 8 every Saturday, to give out prizes. Advertisement boards outside his supermarket outlets bear his personal contact number for customers to give their feedback directly to him, said Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily.

Mr Lim also told Chinese newspaper Lianhe Wanbao that he does not bear a grudge towards the kidnappers and are thankful that they did not hurt his 79-year-old mother. He added that he will not be hiring a bodyguard for his mother, but will hold a family meeting to decide who will accompany her whenever she goes out. He also said that he has warned his family members to be more careful from now on, as they may not be as lucky should something similar happen again.

His mother, Madam Ng Lye Poh, was kidnapped on Wednesday after her daily visit to a market near her home in Hougang. She was freed unhurt early Thursday morning, shortly after Mr Lim dropped off a $2 million ransom at Sembawang Park. Odd-job worker Lee Sze Yong, 41, and credit card promoter Heng Chen Boon, 50, were charged under the Kidnapping Act on Friday.

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