JOHOR BARU: The investigation papers on Abdul Hamim Ab Hamid, the Rohingya known as “Long Tiger”, have almost been completed.

       Outgoing Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the police were prepared to ask for the remand on the 35-year-old, which ends today, to be extended if necessary.

       “It depends on our investigation; if it is not complete then we will request to extend the remand. But it also depends on whether the court will lengthen the remand period.

       “The investigation papers are more or less complete and this is a straightforward case where he ran away from the lock-up,” he said, referring to the fugitive who was captured on Tuesday after his recent escape from the court lock-up in Tangkak.

       Comm Ayob Khan was speaking to the media after officiating at the state Police Family Association (Perkep) fun cycle programme held at its headquarters here yesterday.

       On Wednesday, a remand order for four days was issued by the Tangkak Magistrate’s Court on Abdul Hamim, who made his getaway when he was brought to the court for his hearing on Dec 15.

       A similar remand order was also imposed by the court on three other individuals aged 36, 38 and 46, believed to be his accomplices.

       Abdul Hamim, who was re-arrested in Sungai Petani, Kedah, on Tuesday, was detained for investigation under Section 223/224 of the Penal Code for escaping from police custody.

       He is also a suspect in a number of criminal cases.

       The detention of the three individuals was made under Section 216 of the same Code for harbouring an offender.

       Meanwhile, in an unrelated matter, Comm Ayob Khan said Johor police had placed more than 4,000 men on standby for flood assistance deployment during the current monsoon season.

       He said this involved 415 officers and 3,894 personnel from the state police contingent and district police headquarters.

       “We have identified 25 potential hotspots throughout Johor with districts such as Johor Baru, Muar and Kota Tinggi having the highest number, at four each.

       “Besides manpower, we are also mobilising our assets including 30 boats, 63 four-wheel drive vehicles, 43 generator sets, 32 vans and 10 tents,” he added.

       Johor police, he said, would be working closely with various agencies, including the Fire and Rescue Department and Rela, to ensure a smooth operation.