The Barisan Nasional campaign for the Ketari by-election in Pahang proved to be educational today as the ruling coalition revealed the crimes allegedly committed by the Malaysian Mujahidin Group (KMM), many of which were unknown to the nation.

In a handbill written in Mandarin, BN questioned the links between the Muslim opposition PAS and KMM members rounded up by the police under the Internal Security Act since last year.

Think about it, the father is the spiritual leader of PAS, and his fourth son is leading the armed KMM, can you say there is no connection between PAS and KMM? read the handbill.

Last year, police detained dozens of people under the ISA  mostly PAS members  who were said to be involved in KMM. One of them was Nik Adli Nik Aziz, son of PAS spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

Nik Adli is now serving a two-year detention at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Perak.

Subsequently, Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai said early this year another 23 people were arrested under the security law.

The police chief claimed the detainees were members of a regional terror network, Jemaah Islamiah, which KMM was affiliated to.

Despicable crimes

According to the BN handbill, after thorough investigation, police discovered that the KMM was responsible for several serious inhumane and despicable crimes:

  • May 18, 2001, robbed Southern Bank at Jalan Gasing in Petaling Jaya

  • Feb 3, 2001, four men attempted an arm heist at a police station in Kedah but failed

  • Dec 14, 2000, robbed Hong Leong Bank in Petaling Jaya

  • Robbed a total of 15 different supermarkets in Shah Alam thus far

  • Dec 25, 2000, attacked a church with bombs on Christmas Day

  • Killed an Indian married couple along Jalan Kelang Lama, Kuala Lumpur in 2000

  • Pelting a video game arcade in Klang in 2000

  • Oct 25, 2000, attempted to bomb a Hindu temple in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur (on Deepavali)

  • Nov 4, 2000, assassinated Lunas state assembly representative Dr Joe Fernandez

    • Sept 11 links

    It went on to say that among the KMM members held by the police, some were closely linked to Osama bin Ladens al-Qaeda network which was blamed for the Sept 11 attacks in the United States.

    The ruling coalition also warned the voters in Ketari that KMM was the most organised terrorist group& If they successfully took over the country, it would create the most autocratic and violent rule ever and cause suffering to the people.

    The handbill also explained that in Malaysia, the movement to push for an Islamic state in the country was divided into two forms, one is through political parties like PAS, and the other through armed struggle and violent means.

    The second type of Islamic movement is aimed at establishing theocratic governance based on Islamic principles and to create chaos in the country.

    Passing knowledge

    In yet another handbill distributed by BN, the picture of Nik Aziz shaking hands with DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang during a function this year was featured.

    The caption for the picture: Nik Aziz passing on his knowledge as Lim listens closely.

    Lim was also accused of conspiring with PAS since 1990 and forming the opposition front Barisan Alternatif in 1999 in the run-up to the 10th general elections.

    As a result of this pact between DAP and PAS, it was said that the latter was able to increase its parliamentary seats four times from seven to 28 and capture Terengganu.

    The Ketari voters were cautioned that Kedah and Pahang also nearly fell into the oppositions fold and therefore the Ketari by-election means defending Pahang from falling into the wrong hands.

    Polling for the by-election is this Sunday. The state seat fell vacant after its representative Loke Koon Kam from Gerakan passed away early this month.

    Ketari has some 17,400 Ketari voters, of which over 50 percent are Chinese.