JOHOR BARU: The two Indonesian fugitives who escaped while on their way to prison have been found and arrested.
Johor Maritime director First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria said Haji Samirudin, 36, and Riki Rinaldi, 40, were found within 24 hours after their escape from a prison-bound van.
“The police found Riki at around 9pm on Tuesday (April 11) night (after a tip-off from the public)," he said in a statement on Wednesday (April 12).
"He was found about 10km from the scene (of the escape) in a lethargic state due to injuries sustained after jumping from the moving van.
“Haji Samirudin was found at around 10.40am on Wednesday (April 12) at a plantation not far from the scene.
"Both suspects are currently detained at Kulai police headquarters."
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First Adm Nurul Hizam added that the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) would be carrying out an internal investigation and will take action in the event security procedures were breached while transporting the detainees.
“The two of them were initially sentenced to six months' jail by the Kota Tinggi Sessions Court under Section 56(1A)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63,” he added.
Kulai OCPD Supt Tok Beng Yeow confirmed the arrests and said police have opened an investigation under Sections 223 and 224 of the Penal Code.
He added that Riki was currently under remand until Saturday (April 15) while Haji Samirudin would be remanded on Thursday (April 13).
On Tuesday morning, the fugitives were among four offenders being taken to Ledang prison by three MMEA personnel.
Riki and Haji Samirudin reportedly managed to free themselves from their handcuffs, kicked open the van's back door and jumped out.
They then ran off into an oil palm estate near Jalan Felda Inas in the direction of Sengkang in Kulai.
