'Tekong Darat', Two Bangladeshi Nationals Seriously Injured In Car Chase Avoiding Police

KOTA BHARU, May 28 (Bernama) -- A man suspected to be a tekong darat (ground handler of smuggling activities) and two illegal Bangladeshi nationals were seriously injured after the car they were in skidded while trying to escape from being apprehended by the police near Jalan Bukit Cermin, Kampung Sungai Rual in Jeli today.

General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade Commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the incident at around 7.30 am took place when a team of officers and members from the Intelligence Branch of the GOF 7th Battalion were conducting surveillance operations and detected a suspicious red Proton Saga car on the East-West Highway.

He said the 21-year-old car driver was believed to have sped up after realising that he was being followed by the GOF team before losing control and veering off the road, falling into a ditch.

"The inspection of the vehicle found nine individuals, including a local man believed to be the driver and eight Bangladeshi men, aged between 20 and 40 years.

"Six Bangladeshi men sustained minor injuries, while the skipper and two other Bangladeshi men were found to be seriously injured and all of them were taken to Jeli Hospital for further treatment," he said.

He said that further inspection also found 10 pills believed to be Yaba drugs, and he said that the case is being investigated under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, while the locally registered Proton Saga car was also seized.

Cases of bringing in illegal immigrants can be investigated under Section 26J of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) or Section 55E of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for smuggling or bringing in illegal immigrants.

"Meanwhile, the foreign nationals involved can be investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 for entering and residing in Malaysia without a valid pass or permit," he added.

-- BERNAMA