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Convicted child rapist on the run around Tawau
MalayMailOnline
KOTA KINABALU, June 16 — Sabah police are searching for a convicted child rapist who escaped while being transported from the Tawau district court to prison about 5.40pm today.
The fugitive Faizal Iman, 36, is believed to be hiding in villages outside Tawau.
“We have received reports of sightings within Tawau district. We believe he is still here but we haven’t caught him yet,” a district police official told Malay Mail Online when contacted.
Faizal, from Semporna on Sabah’s restive east coast, was convicted of raping a 14-year-old girl in his hometown earlier this month. He was sentenced to 20 years in jail and 20 lashes.
Tawau is about two hours’ drive from Semporna.
Semporna district police chief Peter Umbuas told Malay Mail Online that security has been stepped up in the area in case the fugitive attempts to return home.
He added that the police are also keeping a watch on the rape victim’s family.
“Yes, we are monitoring the victim’s family as well,” he said.
Faizal is about 5'2" tall with dark complexion and is said have a stocky build. He was last seen in a red shirt and brown short cargo pants.
Sabah police are also investigating if there was any negligence by any of the police personnel in charge of escorting the suspects from the court to prison.
“We will not hesitate to take action against the police personnel assigned to escort the convict from the court to the prison,” state police chief Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun was reported saying today in The Star Online.
