IGP: Militants using fake papers to enter country

PERAK TENGAH: Fake documents, including student visas, are one of the main methods used by militants to enter the country.

After nabbing 45 foreign militants this year, police are now considering the possibility that there are syndicates forging travel documents for them to sneak in.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the militants arrested this year used various methods to enter the country, including the use of fake documents and student visas.

“At the moment, we have arrested nine ASG (Abu Sayyaf Group) members from southern Philippines.

“They were found in possession of fake documents to enter Malaysia, so there is a possibility that they could have done this with the help of syndicates,” he told a press conference at the Royal Malaysian Police National Sports Day event yesterday.

Mohamad Fuzi said at the same time, some were also here to study in religious institutions.

“This explains why they were able to get hold of student visas to sneak in. We are working closely with the respective authorities, especially higher learning institutions, to detect these militants and put an end to this problem,” he said.

In a statement on Friday, Mohamad Fuzi said 45 foreign terrorists were detained in several special operations held between January and Oct 6 this year.

Among those detained were nine from the ASG, three from Fetullah Turki, one from an Albanian terror cell linked with the Islamic State (IS) and another from Bangladesh.

Mohamad Fuzi added that they nabbed three more foreign terrorists in recent days.