GEORGE TOWN, July 11 — Three lock-up detainees convinced eight policemen to play chauffer and bodyguard in a devious escape plan. 

The ruse emerged after one of them, the mastermind, escaped. The policemen also lodged false reports that their van had faulty brakes and at a traffic light in Relau where escapee Anuar Ayat, 43, fled.

Penang police chief Datuk Chuah Ghee Lye told reporters yesterday their report was suspicious and was shocked to learn what actually transpired. 

He said they had arrested five policemen on Sunday when the incident occurred. Three others were nabbed yesterday morning — a sergeant, three corporals and four lance corporals have been remanded until Thursday.

George Town police chief Asst Comm Anuar Omar said it was "plain stupidity” on the part of the policemen. 

"In my 30 years in the force, I have never come across anything like this,” he said. 

It is believed the escapee offered the policemen a bribe to bring him and the two other detainees from the Bayan Baru centralised police lock-up to see their families at different locations in Sungai Ara. The amount offered has not been ascertained. 

At about 2am on Sunday, the three inmates feigned illness and arrangements were made for them to be taken to Balik Pulau Hospital. 

Instead of going to the hospital, two detainees were brought to a homestay where they met their family members, followed by a condominium where Anuar Ayat met his family.

Closed-circuit television camera recordings at the condominium captured him entering the premises with a police jacket on. 

An irate Chuah said they were handcuffed when they were taken into the van but the restraints were removed when they met their families. 

After Anuar Ayat met his wife and son, he told the policemen he needed to meet a friend, a 53-year-old fisherman, in Kampung Sungai Nibong Besar. 

Anuar Ayat made a break for it in the village, near a police barracks.

Sources said he did not keep his promise to pay the money to the policemen after he had met his family.

Anuar Ayat, who is from Laguna Merbok in Sungai Petani, was scheduled to appear in court yesterday where he faced drug trafficking charges and could face the gallows. 

A manhunt is on and police have mobilised most of their resources, including the marine police.

Kampung Sungai Nibong Besar and the surrounding Bayan Baru township were placed on lockdown in an attempt to track him down.

Police are open to the possibility that he might have fled the country.

Anyone with information about the fugitive, are advised to contact Investigating Officer ASP Norhisyam Ramli at 019 471 5484 or the nearest police station.
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