SEVEN OF 27 ESCAPED REHAB CENTRE INMATES NABBED

KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 (Bernama) -- The police have rounded up seven of 27
inmates who escaped from a drug rehabilitation centre in Kampung Selamat,
Seberang Perai Utara, northern Penang-state in Peninsular Malaysia during a riot
Friday (June 19) night.

The inmates made their escape by climbing over the perimeter fence after
torching the administration and rehabilitation blocks, and the sentry post, said
Home Ministry in a statement Friday.

It said they also set fire to vehicles owned by the centre and the wardens.

"The situation is now under control. The riot was quelled by the police
aided by Volunteers of Malaysian People (Rela) volunteers while firemen put out
the fire," it said, adding that the police were tracking down the rest of the
escapees.

The riot erupted at the centre that house 522 inmates at 6.40pm June 19
due to a misunderstanding between the inmates and the wardens before calm was
restored at 10.15pm.

The statement said as a security measure, the inmates at the centre would be
reduced to 157 while the rest would be relocated at other northern zone centres.


The Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan said the police were
still investigating the cause of the riot.

-- BERNAMA