Immigration Department director-general Datuk Indera Khairul Dzaimee Daud addresses media during a raid on a construction site in Cyberjaya June 6, 2021. — Picture by Hari Anggara
KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 — Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Khairul Dzaimee Daud today confirmed over 500 detainees had broken out of a temporary detention centre in Sungai Bakap, Penang earlier this morning.
He said 362 of the 528 detainees who escaped had been caught and returned to detention while 165 are still on the run as at 10am, The Star reported on its website.
Khairul also confirmed that six detainees died while fleeing instead of 10 as reported by the daily earlier.
“They were hit by a passing vehicle while crossing the road,” he was quoted as saying in a statement.
“We are actively looking for the remaining detainees with the help of the police and Rela,” he added, the latter referring to the Malaysian Volunteer Corps by its Malay abbreviation.
He also said those with information should contact Immigration authorities or the police.
According to Khairul, the detainees escaped by breaking the doors and grilles to one of the blocks in the detention centre at about 4.30am.
In its update, The Star reported that the escapees were undocumented migrants.
In its earlier report, the daily named the detainees were Rohingya who had been rounded up by various agencies during operations in Langkawi, Kedah.