JOHOR BARU: The ethnic Rohingya man known as “Long Tiger '' is still under police custody at the Sungai Udang prison in Melaka, says acting Johor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khaw Kok Chin.

       He said that the 32-year-old man, whose real name is Abdul Hamim Ab Hamid, is being remanded under his previous case, Section 388 of the Penal Code for extortion and is also undergoing 14 days of quarantine for Covid-19.

       “He was previously remanded under Section 224 of the Penal Code after escaping custody.

       “Currently, is being remanded under his previous offence under Section 388 of the Penal Code and is also undergoing quarantine between Jan 5 and Jan 18,” he said in a press conference here.

       He noted that the investigation papers under Section 244 have been completed and submitted to the Attorney General’s office and is awaiting approval to charge him.

       “Eight people, including one woman, believed to be his accomplices, were also previously arrested.

       “They have been released under police bail and we are waiting for further instructions from the Attorney General’s office,” he said.

       He added that the suspects are believed to have assisted him after he escaped, including transporting him to Sungai Petani, Kedah, cutting off his handcuff, buying him a phone and SIM card.

       On Dec 15, Abdul Hamim escaped through the main entrance of the Tangkak courthouse at around noon before his hearing.

       He was picked up from the Sungai Udang Prison in Melaka a day before the incident and brought to attend the court session for a case under Section 388 of the Penal Code (for extortion).

       Abdul Hamim was later recaptured in Kedah on Dec 28 and is being investigated under Section 223/224 of the Penal Code for escaping custody.