‘Yes, they are terrorists’
IGP confirms arrest of eight Abu Sayyaf militants
KUALA LUMPUR: On the eve of his retirement as InspectorGeneral of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar is still keeping tabs on the nation’s security, especially terror threats.
Confirming the arrests of eight suspected Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) militants in the city last Wednesday, the country’s top cop said Bukit Aman was working closely with its Philippines’ counterpart to ensure that Malaysia was not being used as a hideout for militants.
“We are always on alert for any terror threat from various elements, be it foreign or domestic.
“The Royal Malaysia Police, especially the Counter Terrorism Division, is always proactive in collecting actionable intelligence and taking necessary measures to curb the threat of terrorism,” he told The Star yesterday.
“The safety and security of the people is our top priority,” he said.
The IGP was commenting on The Star’s exclusive report on the arrest of Malaysian and Filipino militants in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Khalid is due for compulsory retirement today. Sources said the militants, including ASG leaders Hajar Abdul Mubin, were arrested in an operation in Cheras on the eve of National Day on Aug 30.
Hajar, also known as Abu Asrie, was arrested with another Filipino, Abraham Embung, 29, and six Malaysians of Filipino descent from Sabah.
The 25yearold Abu Asrie is believed to be a member of the Jolobased Lucky 9 kidnapforransom group with links to the Abu Sayyaf group based in the jungles of Jolo and Basilan islands in southern Philippines.
The Malaysians, who are believed to be from Sandakan and working in Kuala Lumpur, were aged between 20 and 52.
Some of the suspects were security guards and members of the Civil Defence Corp or Rela, the sources said.
According to Philippines intelligence sources, the Lucky 9 gang was involved in kidnapforransom activities in Jolo town.
Some members of the group have links with the Abu Sayyaf gunmen currently on the run in Jolo following a full scale war by Philippines security forces against the group that was responsible for numerous cross border kidnappings in east coast Sabah.
According to some sources, Abu Asrie, who was based in Basilan, had slipped into Malaysia in 2015 after meeting with Malaysian Islamic State militants Dr Mahmud Ahmad, Mohd Najib Hussein and Muhammad Joraimee in Basilan.
We are always on alert for any terror threat from various elements, be it foreign or domestic.
Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar