JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested an ethnic Rohingya fugitive known as “Long Tiger” almost two weeks after he escaped from the Magistrate’s Court lock-up in Tangkak.

       It is learnt that Abdul Hamim Ab Hamid, 32, was arrested in a special operation carried out by the police in Kedah yesterday.

       The picture of a bald and shirtless Abdul Hamim clad only in white shorts being held by plainclothes policemen has gone viral on social media.

       It is learnt that also arrested at the scene was another man in his 40s who is believed to have assisted Abdul Hamim in his escape from Johor to Kedah.

       Outgoing Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay will be holding a special press conference today to provide more information about the arrest.

       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).

       Police personnel who were ushering a handcuffed Abdul Hamim to court only realised his escape after seeing him running out of the door towards the gate.

       Four police personnel and the court security guards then ran after the suspect but he managed to flee towards the woods.

       The suspect also has an ongoing hearing at the Muar Sessions Court for rape under Section 376 of the Penal Code.

       Abdul Hamim was picked up in Muar on July 12 after he allegedly locked up a 21-year-old local said to be his former worker.

       On April 28, he was detained at his home in Muar after he allegedly made a slanderous statement against a police officer from the Tangkak headquarters.

       Pictures and videos of the arrest also went viral.

       A 27-year-old corporal from the Muar police department who allegedly spread videos of his arrest on social media was arrested and investigated under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

       Comm Ayob Khan said then that investigation had revealed that the man had a criminal record for three offences.

       In 2012, he was charged under Sections 363 and 376 of the Penal Code for kidnapping and rape.

       In 2009, he was convicted under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation.

       The suspect has temporary resident status as well as a refugee card issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.