Two fugitives detected using public phone

The two remaining fugitives sought by the police have been detected using a public telephone in Taman Chai Leng, Perai yesterday afternoon.

"They know that if they use their mobile phones we can track them and follow their movements," said Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi.

He said the manhunt for Hamzani Harun, 37, and Hisham Abdul Rahman, 39, who were among nine detainees who escaped from custody in a police van after assaulting their escorts on Jan 7, had been extended to northern Perak.

"This is to ensure that they cannot go further. But I believe they are still in Permatang Pauh as we know that they are still on foot," he told reporters after visiting Sekolah Kebangsaan Pauh Jaya here today.

Abdul Rahim said the police learned that the two fugitives no longer got any help from their friends as they came out of their hideout and sought public assistance.