Sabah cops launch manhunt after four detainees with Covid-19 flee from quarantine centre

KOTA KINABALU: Four Covid-19 positive detainees escaped from the quarantine and treatment centre in Penampang early Sunday (Aug 1) morning.

The four - Mohd Rahman Basir, 24; Arripian Abdul, 27; Mohd Diyazmir Razif Rudyaz, 20; and Salman Arip, 19; - were found missing from their beds when police officials made their rounds at about 3.30am Sunday.

Penampang OCPD Deputy Supt Mohd Haris Ibrahim said the four, who were detained for various offences including drug abuse, had been transferred to the quarantine centre in phases since July 24.

He said they were placed at the state Native Court Training Institute under police supervision after testing positive for Covid-19.

“All except Arripian are undocumented,” DSP Haris said.

The detainees were handcuffed to their beds but somehow managed to open the locks and flee undetected.

“Anyone who knows of their whereabouts or has seen them is urged to contact the police immediately at 088-723961 or any of their nearest police stations,” DSP Haris said.

He urged the public to not take matters into their own hands if they saw the detainees but to immediately alert the authorities.

A manhunt was immediately mounted to search for the escapees after they went missing.