Terror in their midst
SERIAN: Expressions of surprise and shock were clearly evident among residents of Taman Anggerik Indah here upon learning that the Egyptian terror suspect arrested by police had been living amongst them.
The residents, all of whom declined to be named, told The Borneo Post that the foreigner, who operated an Arab cuisine restaurant, rarely interacted with local folk.
“We thought that his business wasn’t doing so well, which was why the restaurant had been closed for over a month. When I heard the news (of the arrest), I was really taken aback,” said a 76-year-old resident, adding the Egyptian could often be seen at the surau here.
Another resident, 29, told reporters the foreigner had married a local woman but often kept to himself.
“I only interacted with him on one occasion at the surau during ‘solat’ early this year. I didn’t know where he went to after that. No wonder I haven’t seen him around in a while,” he said.
According to him further, the suspect held an opening ceremony for his restaurant last year and had invited Taman Anggerik Indah residents to come and eat for free.
Meanwhile, another resident, a 50-year-old female stall operator, also expressed her shock upon hearing the news.
“Nobody here would have expected that he would be linked to those kinds of activities. I was really shocked,” she exclaimed.
The Egyptian was arrested along with a Malaysian man and woman during an operation carried out here on Feb 2 by the Special Branch’s CounterTerrorism Division.
A statement issued by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun on Sunday said added that five other Egyptians and a Tunisian were also arrested between Feb 2 and Feb 9 in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
The foreigners are believed to be fighters belonging to the Al-Shariah Al-Tunisia terror group, which is part of the al-Qaeda terror network operating in North Africa, he added.
The IGP said investigations revealed that foreign terrorist fighters have been trying to make Malaysia a safe haven – a transit point and logistics hub – by sneaking into the country through various means.
“The presence of foreign terrorists in the country should be taken seriously, especially following the defeat of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq,” he said, adding their presence could also lead Malaysia to becoming a ‘launch pad’ for terror attacks in the country or even the region.