KUALA LUMPUR – The authorities have been instructed to investigate the cause behind hundreds of detainees escaping the Sg Bakap temporary detention depot today.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin confirmed that all the runaway detainees were ethnic Rohingyas who were placed in custody after they were found off the country’s west coast during an exodus in 2020.
“In this matter, I want to stress that Malaysia does not recognise refugees and their presence here is purely based on humanitarian reasons.
“In line with that, all parties including foreign nationals who are inside Malaysia must adhere to the laws of the country,” he said in a statement.
He said the latest update revealed another 30 detainees have been apprehended by authorities, with a total of 382 runaways from this morning’s incident accounted for.
Earlier today more than 500 detainees fled from the detention centre after a supposed clash broke out among detainees.
As part of efforts to locate the escapees, Kedah and Penang police then launched Ops Kesan and Ops Cantas to track down the detainees.
Six individuals, including two children, from the group of detainees died after being hit by oncoming traffic as they tried to cross the North-South Expressway.
The Vibes also reported eyewitness accounts of those living in Kg Relau near the depot centre, with runaway detainees claiming they were mistreated while under detention with several dying in custody from lack of medical attention. – The Vibes, April 20, 2022
