Police hunt for Covid-positive detainee who escaped while being transferred to quarantine centre

 

In the incident at 5.45pm yesterday, Lo Hin Khiong, 38, was being taken to the quarantine centre using a Sabah Health Department vehicle from Penampang police station. - Pic courtesy of PDRM

KOTA KINABALU: Police are hunting for a Covid-positive detainee who escaped while being sent to the Likas quarantine centre.

In the incident at 5.45pm yesterday, Lo Hin Khiong, 38, was being taken to the quarantine centre using a Sabah Health Department vehicle from Penampang police station.

However, he fled when the vehicle was stopped at a traffic light junction near the Likas Sports Complex.

District police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Zaidi Abdullah said Lo was detained by a Penampang police headquarters team on Friday to assist investigations into a burglary.

He said the man was remanded for four days before being released on police bail after being confirmed positive for Covid-19.

During the incident, the man was sitting in the back passenger seat when the Health Department vehicle came to a stop at the traffic light. He then opened the door and fled.

"Efforts to track down the suspect are underway and investigation papers have been opened in accordance with Section 269 of the Penal Code for actions likely to spread the infection of a disease.

"Anyone who has information about the suspect is asked to come forward and channel it to the Health Ministry and the police to assist in further investigations," he said. - NST