IGP: Seven nabbed over plans to attack 'strategic locations'

comments     Published     Updated

Seven individuals linked to the IS movement have been arrested over alleged plans to mount an attack on several locations nationwide.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the individuals, aged between 25 and 50, were arrested during a three-day operation that ended today.

Police also seized 30 bullets, IS flags, books and other IS propaganda materials.

“From between Jan 22 and Jan 24, the Special Branch counter terrorism unit had launched an operation around Kedah, Johor, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, leading to the arrests of seven individuals for suspected involvement with IS terrorists,” said Khalid in a statement.

Their arrests, he said, also followed the initial arrest of an armed man at the Setiawangsa LRT station on Jan 15.

“All suspects belonged to the same terror cell responsible for planning attacks on strategic locations around Malaysia,” said Khalid.

Revealing further details on their arrests, Khalid said one of them is believed to be taking orders from a Malaysian man who had gone to join IS rebels in Syria.

Another suspect was allegedly working under orders from an Indonesian man in Syria, also responsible for instructing IS cells in Indonesia to trigger the bombs that rocked Jakarta on Jan 14.

Among those arrested included a 50-year-old cendol seller from Kedah, whose role was to collect and distribute funds to any Malaysians who wished to join IS in Syria.

The money collected was also believed to be used to fund planned attacks in Malaysia.

All seven individuals will be investigated for relevant offences under the Penal Code, as well as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma).

Related stories

'Assess mental health of alleged terrorists professionally'

We're scared of terror attacks but life must go on'

Batu Caves visitors unfazed by terror concerns

Police on lookout for IS activities in Perak

What should one do if caught in a terrorist attack?



Malaysiakini
news and views that matter


Sign In