SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA: Police have launched a manhunt for a Singaporean who escaped from custody while he was being escorted to the court lock-up here on Friday afternoon.

The man was charged under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which carries the mandatory death penalty.

The incident happened when two policemen were escorting the Singaporean and two other detainees in a police vehicle from the Shah Alam High Court back to the lock-up, located in the court's premises about 12.30pm.

When they reached the judges' parking lot near the lock-up, the Singaporean shoved the policeman out of the vehicle and made a break for it.

"The Singaporean was still handcuffed at his back when this incident happened," said a source.

"The other policeman could not go after the Singaporean as he had to watch over the other two detainees who were also handcuffed."

The other two detainees were quickly sent to the lock-up before the two policemen alerted the nearest police station.

Two police dogs were sent to the court's premises.

After a futile two-hour search, a report was lodged at the Shah Alam police headquarters.

The Singaporean had been arrested several years ago and he had appeared in court several times before Friday's appearance.

Selangor police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said there would be an investigation into how the Singaporean managed to escape.

"The two policemen are also being investigated as certain procedures were not followed."

Is this article useful to you?