The Malaysian Insight

POLICE have set up a special investigation team to probe the riot and escape of more than 500 detainees from the Relau temporary immigration depot in Bandar Baharu, Kedah, this morning.

Kedah police chief Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad said the team, comprising 13 officers, will investigate into the cause of the incident and how the detainees managed to escape.

The depot where the breakout occurred early this morning was earlier named as the detention centre at Sungai Bakap in Penang by the Immigration Department, but police have now clarified.

“The camp housed 664 detainees, and 528 of them escaped. In the incident, two men, two women, a boy and a girl, died in an accident on the North-South Highway near Jawi,” Wan Hassan told a press conference this afternoon.

“A total of 176 of the detainees who escaped are on the run. We believe they are hiding in the surrounding areas.”

Earlier today, Penang police chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said six detainees, including two minors, who had escaped were killed in a road accident while trying to flee.

He said apart from the minors, the other deceased were two men and two women. The accident occurred at Km165 of the North-South Highway at about 6.50am.

He said an initial investigation revealed that there were 23 Immigration Department officers on duty at the depot when the riot started and they were outnumbered when the detainees made their escape.

Wan Hassan said police are conducting an investigation to identify the cause of the riot.

“The case is being investigated under sections 224 and 147 of the penal code,” he said.

No other injuries were reported, he said. The depot saw some damage to its main gate and fencing.

Wan Hassan said those at large could potentially be dangerous in their attempt to survive and evade detection. They would also be barefooted and easily identified by their detention clothing.

He said members of the public who have seen the escapees should notify the police.

A joint operation by Kedah and Penang police, codenamed Ops Cantas, has also been mounted to track down the escapees.

“Thirteen roadblocks have been mounted in Kulim, Bandar Baharu and Seberang Perai Selatan in Penang,” he said.

“The General Operations Force and the K9 dog unit have also been mobilised. This operation will go on until all the escapees are rearrested.”

Immigration director-general Khairul Dzaimee Daud earlier this morning said 528 Rohingya detainees escaped from the detention depot at 4.30am after breaking down a door and a grille barrier. – April 20, 2022,