TAPAH: Concerned for their safety, Kampung Poh villagers have initiated community patrols after the detainee breakout from the Bidor Immigration depot.

       Norfaizal Marzuki, 36, said that he and his friends began patrolling the area due to concerns that escapees could be hiding in their village.

       "These detainees could pose a threat to the safety of the residents, particularly the elderly people living alone and children in the village.

       "As the young people of the village, it is our responsibility to ensure the safety of the community. Many of us are also self-employed, so we can take turns patrolling," he told Bernama on Sunday (Feb 4).

       Mohamad Ikhsan Shahrol, 31, said the patrols were carried out in groups.

       "We are doing the patrols out of a sense of responsibility and also to help the authorities.

       "We are worried the detainees may act recklessly as they have been in the jungle for four days. We are sure they are starving," he said.

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       He said some of the elderly in Kampung Poh have gone to stay with their children to ensure their safety.

       So far, 51 of the escapees have been recaptured and 89 remain at large.

       On Thursday (Feb 1), 131 illegal immigrants escaped from the men's block of the depot but one of them died in a road accident. – Bernama