7 Abu Sayyaf suspects working as security guards nabbed in KL
KUALA LUMPUR: Seven suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists, all Filipinos, were nabbed here where they were working as security guards.
The arrests on Sept 14 follow an earlier operation where eight of their peers were also held for allegedly planning attacks on the 29th Sea Games Kuala Lumpur and 60th National Day celebration. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the suspects, aged between 22 and 28, were working for security companies in Selangor and here.
“One of the suspects, 22, is an Abu Sayyaf member, was involved in armed clashes with the Philippine military and was also involved in kidnappings in southern Philippines,” he said.
Fuzi said the seven suspects slipped into Malaysia via Sandakan, Sabah, about two years ago before flying here using fake travel documents.
“The police will continue with follow-up operations to detain foreign terrorists who slip into Malaysia to hide, raise funds, launch attacks on the country or make it their operational base to strike a third country.”
This year, 41 foreigners categorised as foreign terrorist fighters had been held by the Special Branch Counter-terrorism division, he said.
All those detained will be held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 pending investigations into their involvement in terror activities, Fuzi added.
In operations from July 4 to Aug 30 in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kelantan and Johor, police held eight locals and 11 foreigners.
Of the total, eight Abu Sayyaf suspects, aged between 20 and 52, were held in Cheras on Aug 30.