breaking news

The wife of alleged al-Qaeda operative Yazid Sufaat and 13 others, including five civil servants, have been detained under the Internal Security Act.

Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai who said this today, added that they were detained in connection with the Malaysian Mujahidin Group (KMM).

The police are also looking for 100 more people, including several key figures.

According to Norian, the 14 were picked up in an operation carried out yesterday and today.

Apart form Yazids wife, Sejahtul Dursina @ Chomel Mohamad, others detained were:

  • Syed Ali Syed Abdullah, 42, a company director and Science graduate from the Northern Illinois University in the United States.

  • Shamsuddin Sulaiman 32, an assistant accountant with the Health Ministry and former Institut Teknologi Mara (ITM) student.

  • Mior Mohd Yuhana Hamidon, 54, a technician with the Road Works Department (JKR)

  • Mat Shah Sapray, 39, a technician with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka.

  • Shakom Shaaid, 47, a metre reader with the Waterworks Department (JBA)

  • Yusrin Haiti, a 31-year-old technician

  • Mazlan Ishak, a 41-year-old teacher

  • F Muchlis Abdul Halim @ ferry, 46, an Indonesian welder with Malaysian PR

  • Agungdiyadi Ahmad Bunyamin, 46, an Indonesian ice cream vendor with Malaysian PR

  • Nasaruddin Nashir, a 45-year-old businessman.

  • Mohd Yusof Rerwan @ Yunus ayam, a 62-year-old chicken seller.

  • Azmi Khan Mhamud @ Azmi teksi, a 36-year-old taxi driver

  • Jaffar Saldin @ Jaafar, a 40- year-old taxi driver.

    • All, except for Azmi and Jaffar, were detained in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. The duo were arrested in Johor.

    Norian added that the police are pursuing their investigations to see if the 14 had previously undergone any military-style training in Pakistan, Philippines or Afghanistan.

    The police also revealed that maps, including that of the Klang port, and notes on survival training were seized from the houses of the 14 arrested.

    The latest wave of arrest brings the total number of those detained  in connection with KMM since last year  to 62.

    Police said KMM, whose members underwent training in Afghanistan, was plotting to overthrow the government through violence.

    In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi described the arrests as a preventive measure to avoid any form of violence.

    "Police are keeping close tabs on the group and if we catch any of them, we will detain them under the ISA," he said.

    Obtain information

    Meanwhile, according to family members, Sejahratul, 37, was arrested at her home in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur at about 10.55pm last night.

    Her sister, Suri Hanim Mohamad said the police also seized the IT company directors computer, files, books as well as a list containing the names of her customers.

    "I received a phone call from Sejahratul last night. She said the police were arresting her under the ISA and that she had left a few cheques for the care of her four children.

    She also said the police wanted to take her in to obtain some information, Suri told malaysiakini when met at the Malaysian Human Rights Commission headquarters (Suhakam) in Kuala Lumpur.

    Earlier, family members submitted a memorandum to Suhakam asking it to ensure that Sejahratul is given proper treatment during the course of her custody.

    Suri also expressed concern for her sister, saying that Sejahratul was unwell and that she could possibly be abused.

    "Men put under the ISA can take care of themselves but a woman is more vulnerable. She is also exhausted being a career woman and having to take care of her children.

    Visiting her husband at the detention centre has also taken a toll on her," said Suri whose husband, Ahmad Yani Ismail, was also arrested under the ISA together with her brother-in-law in January.

    The duo were among 23 people rounded up by the police early this year for their alleged involvement in Jemaah Islamiah  said to be a secret cell of KMM  which aimed to overthrow Southeast Asian governments through violence and convert their respective countries into Islamic states.

    The clandestine organisation was also linked to the Osama bin Laden-helmed al-Qaeda terror network which was blamed for the Sept 11 attacks on the United States.

    Later, Suhakams Zainah Anwar said she would look into the matter but would have to consult the other commissioners first.

    "However, Suhakam maintains its stand that detention without trial is a violation of human rights," stressed the comissioner.