Lecturer’s killers linked to foreign intelligence organisation – DPM

BAGAN DATUK: The two assailants of a Palestinian university lecturer in Kuala Lumpur yesterday are believed to be caucasians linked to an intelligence organisation of a country, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, said the police would work with Interpol and Aseanapol to track down the duo immediately.

“The police will conduct their investigation by covering all angles. We will investigate the case until the arrest of the perpetrators of the crime.

“We will provide information on the developments in the case from time to time,” he said to reporters after opening a new building of GiatMara in Hutan Melintang here yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid was asked to comment on the shooting of the 35-year-old lecturer at about 6 am yesterday as he was walking from his condominium to a nearby surau in Jalan Meranti, Setapak, for the dawn prayers.

Kuala Lumpur Police chief Datuk Seri Mazlan Lazim disclosed details of the shooting but did not reveal the name of the lecturer. The Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Datuk Dr Anwar H. Al Agha, speaking to reporters at the scene, said the dead man was Dr Fadi Al Batsh.

Ahmad Zahid said a preliminary investigation showed that the lecturer was to have left for Turkey yesterday afternoon to attend an international conference.

He said the lecturer, who was an electrical engineer and an expert at making rockets, had had links with an intelligence organisation of a country and had been active in Islamic NGOs that championed the Palestinian cause.

“The lecturer, a permanent resident of this country, is believed to have become a liability for a country hostile to Palestine,” he said.