51 of 131 detainees recaptured so far after breakout in Malaysian detention centre
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IPOH – A total of 51 detainees who escaped from an immigration depot in Bidor have been recaptured as at 5pm on Feb 4, said police in Malaysia.
Perak’s police chief Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said the latest arrests of 10 detainees were made at the Kampung Senta oil palm plantation in Bidor, a town that lies about 60km south-east from state capital Ipoh. Two other detainees were caught early in the morning.
On the night of Feb 1, 131 detainees, aged between 17 and 35, escaped from the male block of the immigration depot after a riot,
Most of the 131 escapees are Rohingya refugees, and a small group are Myanmar and Bangladeshi nationals. One Rohingya escapee was killed in an accident on the North-South Expressway.
Commander Mohd Yusri said police believe those still on the loose are hiding in the jungles and near villages in Tapah and Bidor. “We urge people not to speculate on the matter, which could make it harder for us to catch them,” he said.
On Feb 3, Deputy Law and Institutional Reform Minister M. Kula Segaran called for a comprehensive and transparent inquiry into the incident.
“We need to ascertain whether this incident is an isolated occurrence or if there have been similar incidents in the past, as understanding the context will help us implement necessary measures to prevent it happening in the future.
“We must acknowledge the swift response of the law enforcement agencies stationed at the depot, especially those who ensured the safety of their fellow officers during the escape,” he said in a statement.
The deputy minister added that an independent task force or a parliamentary select committee must be formed to conduct the probe.
“An unbiased examination by an independent body is crucial to instil public confidence, and to ensure the integrity of the investigative process, the report must be made public,” he said. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
