KULAI, April 17 — Two Indonesian convicts, who escaped en route to prison but were caught soon after, were today sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment by the Magistrate’s Court here.
Riki Ranaldi, 40, and Haji Samirudin, 36, pleaded guilty after the charges were read to them through an interpreter before Magistrate Azureen Sahari Sauffee Afandi.
According to the charge sheet, the duo were found to have deliberately escaped from the custody of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) after being detained for an immigration offence under Section 56(1A)(a) of the Immigration Act 1963/56.
The duo broke out of a van that was travelling on Jalan Felda Inas to Sengkang in Kulai on April 11 at 10.50am.
The two men were charged under Section 224 of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum prison sentence of two years or a fine or both.
The particular section covers those convicted who attempt to, or escapes from lawful custody.
According to the facts of the case, three MMEA personnel were escorting four Indonesian male convicts from the Kota Tinggi Court Complex to the Ledang Prison in a van.
Along the way, the two Indonesians broke free of their handcuffs and kicked open the rear door of the van before jumping out and escaping.
Three MMEA personnel then gave chase, but failed to locate the two convicts as they had fled from the road into an oil palm plantation in Felda Inas.
The prosecution was represented by Deputy Public Prosecutor Edelynn Wong, while the two accused were unrepresented.
Wong had asked for an appropriate punishment, taking into account that their escape bid of one of public interest and as a lesson to other convicts.
Azureen Sahari then sentenced the two Indonesians to a prison term of eight months each.
Both convicts suffered minor injuries after jumping from the moving van in their escape.
