Firms that hired suspected militants identified

PETALING JAYA: The security companies responsible for employing seven suspected Abu Sayyaf group militants have been identified, says Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim.

The Home Ministry secretary-general said their level of involvement was still under investigation.

Alwi said action, including revoking their licences, could be taken if these companies were found to be complacent.

“We have set strict procedures in the hiring of guards by security companies based on the law.

“One is making it compulsory for security companies to verify the authenticity of the MyKad held by applicants.

“This can be done through biometric verification at the National Registration Department,” Alwi warned.

Alwi was commenting on the recent arrests of suspected Abu Sayyaf militants who were found to be working as security guards in the Klang Valley.

He said the ministry also required all security companies to conduct thorough background checks.

“All security companies must strictly comply with existing regulations and guidelines in hiring security guards,” Alwi warned the security companies

“We will not compromise on this matter.

“We discovered that the suspects had used forged identification documents to apply for jobs as security guards,” he said.

On Sept 14, seven suspects, aged between 22 and 38, were detained in Kuala Lumpur by the Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism Division.