US keen to interrogate Malaysian suspected terrorist: police

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Police here said today the United States wants to interrogate a local militant suspected of being involved in planning for the Sept 11 attacks.

Police chief Norian Mai told reporters that US Federal Bureau of Investigation head Robert S Mueller had indicated his interest in questioning Yazid Sufaat, a former Malaysian army captain.

Yazid, a member of the Jemaah Islamiah extremist group, allegedly helped develop a support network for chief terror suspect Osama bin Laden in Malaysia and throughout Southeast Asia.

But Norian added there was no official request by the United States to extradite Yazid, who is being held for at least two years without trial under Malaysia's tough Internal Security Act.

"There is definitely some indication that was expressed by Mr Mueller during the meeting, but the form and kind of cooperation in this case, and when it is needed, has not been formally made," he said.

"At this point, however, there is no extradition request."

Asked if Malaysia was prepared to allow the United States to investigate Yazid, the police chief said: "That has not been decided on yet."

The FBI chief, who was in Malaysia last week as part of a tour of Asia-Pacific countries, praised Malaysian police efforts to provide intelligence in the fight against terrorism.

"Malaysian police have worked cooperatively with us in providing helpful information about terrorists and their potential acts," Mueller said.



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