Fugitive Recaptured Less Than 12 Hours After Escaping Prison

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Police have apprehended a male inmate less than 12 hours after he escaped from Sri Aman Central Prison in Sarawak

Sri Aman District Police Chief Dennis Bunyam said the inmate, 39-year-old John Sambang Sangau, escaped around 7.15am.

He said after the incident, police deployed resources and personnel to comb the Sri Aman area, covering village roads, plantations, and nearby settlements.

Bernama reported that the inmate was tracked down based on tips from the public and was recaptured at a partially constructed house around 6.20pm.

The vacant house, believed to have been used as a temporary hiding place, is located on Jalan Brayun, about 2km from the prison.

Dennis said police are now investigating how the prison break occurred

He said they were also applying for a remand order for John to assist in the probe, adding that they are investigating the inmate's escape method and whether others were involved.

An earlier report by Bernama alleged that John climbed a temporary gate behind one of the prison blocks.

The case is being investigated under Sections 223 and 224 of the Penal Code.

Dennis also thanked the public for their role in the operation, saying:

"The Royal Malaysian Police expresses their deepest appreciation to the public for the information provided, as well as to the security teams whose commitment ensured that the inmate was rearrested within a short period."

Originally arrested on drug-related charges, John was due for release in two months

The inmate had been serving his sentence since 20 October, 2024.

Charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, he was scheduled for release on 24 January, 2026.