Police deny talk that 13 escaped immigrants killed in accident

IPOH: The police denied that 13 detainees who escaped the temporary immigration detention centre in Bidor were killed in an accident on the North-South Expressway.

Perak police Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basrisaid only one Rohingya man was killed after being involved in an accident on KM335 of the expressway on Thursday (Feb 1).

ALSO READ: 131 detainees escape from Bidor Immigration depot, one dies in crash

"We deny the allegations made viral by some irresponsible folk on a social media platforms.

"We would like to advise the people not to spread fake information or speculate," he said in a statement.

Comm Mohd Yusri said the police would investigate the claims under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.

"Those convicted can be fined no more than RM50,000, jailed for up to one year, or both," he said.

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"Those with information are to come forward by contacting investigating officer Asst Supt Noor Irwan Abd Ghani at 017-316 8097 or the Tapah district police station at 05-401 1222," he added.

A total of 131 Rohingya and Myanmar detainees have escaped the detention centre after a riot broke out on Thursday night.

Comm Mohd Yusri said a manhunt for the 115 Rohingya and 16 Myanmar nationals is ongoing with the help of the Third Battalion of the General Operations Force (GOF), the state police contingent’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and Bukit Aman CID.

He said the case is being investigated under Sections 147 and 223/224 of the Penal Code.