Terror plots thwarted by arrests

Police detain seven suspects over links to Malaysian militant chief

KUALA LUMPUR: At least two terror plots orchestrated by militant leader Akel Zainal were thwarted following the arrests of six men and a woman.

Akel, 38, is the main Malaysian militant chief who recruited people for the Islamic State (IS) group in the war in Syria.

The suspects – four Malaysian men, a Malaysian woman and two Filipino men – were detained following a series of raids carried out by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division in Kelantan, Sabah, Selangor and Kedah between Nov 19 and 28.

A 28-year-old honey seller, who was allegedly instructed by Akel to launch attacks in the country, was the first suspect to be arrested on Nov 19 in Kelantan.

“He was ordered to launch attacks in Malaysia,” Inspector- General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said yesterday.

A 52-year-old oil and gas engineer were also arrested on Nov 20 in Kajang.

“We believe he had channelled RM14,000 to former militant leader Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi in 2016 and 2017.

“The money was meant to fund terror operations,” Mohamad Fuzi said.

Muhammad Wanndy was killed in Syria in April 2017, after which his role as the main recruiter was taken over by Akel.

Mohamad Fuzi said police also arrested a 45-year-old Filipino man in Tawau on Nov 21.

He was a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG).

“We believe he was involved in at least three kidnap-for-random incidents in the southern Philippines and Sabah.

“He is also wanted for crimes in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone),” he added.

A 35-year-old Malaysian man, who was working at a driving school in Kota Baru, was detained on Nov 21.

“He had received orders from IS leaders to launch attacks on nonMuslims and their places of worship,” he added.

Police also picked up a 26-yearold Malaysian factory van driver in Bedong, Kedah, on Nov 22.

“We believe that he had given funds to Jemaah Ansharut Dauliah, a pro-IS terror organisation in Indonesia.

“The group was responsible for an attack on a police station in Central Java in April 2017,” Mohamad Fuzi added.

He also said a married couple were detained in Tenom on Nov 28.

“The husband is a Filipino who works as a labourer, while the wife does not work.

“We believe they have been withholding information on ASG members in Sabah,” he said.

The suspects are being held under the Security Offences Special Measures Act 2012 ( Sosma).

It was earlier reported that Akel, whose real name is Wan Mohd Aquil Wan Zainal Abidin, went to Syria on Jan 3, 2014.

Intelligence indicated that he was active in fire fights and terror operations in Syria.

We believe (one of the suspects) had channelled RM14,000 to former militant leader Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi. Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun