Sri Aman police chief Dennis Bunyam said a team tracked the man to a partly completed house along Jalan Brayun, about 2km from the prison and detained him without incident.

“Based on information channelled by the public, the operation team managed to detect the suspect and arrested him at about 6.20pm,” Bernama quoted him as saying.

Dennis said police were investigating how the inmate managed to escape from the prison. The case is being investigated under Sections 223 and 224 of the Penal Code.

“Police will apply for a remand order for the suspect to assist in further investigations, including identifying the cause and method of escape, and whether there were other individuals involved,” he said.

It was earlier reported that the inmate, identified as John Sambang Sangau, 39, had escaped by climbing a temporary gate behind one of the prison blocks.