M'sia rounds up 14 ISIS militant suspects
A total of 14 suspected Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants, including a woman, were detained in several raids in five Malaysian states.
The 14 were picked up by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division in Selangor, Perak, Kedah, Penang and Sabah between July 14 and July 20, reported The Star.
Twelve detainees belonged to the same cell and were suspected of taking orders from known militant Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi to launch attacks in Malaysia.
Police also seized a 1kg improvised explosive device (IED) in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said one of the suspects confessed to sharing knowledge of how to make an IED with other militants through the Telegram messaging app.
"He also claimed to receive orders from Muhammad Wanndy to make an IED for attacks in the Klang Valley. Muhammad Wanndy also promised to supply him with a pistol to defend himself against the police," Mr Khalid said in a statement yesterday.
He added that a 49-year-old suspect, who was arrested in Kedah, was a senior ISIS member who was active in recruiting members through secret talks in Sik, Kedah.
He also said that a 43-year-old woman arrested in Perak was active in promoting ISIS propaganda and was planning to go to southern Philippines with the help of known fugitive militant Mahmud Ahmad.
The latest arrests were follow-up counter-terrorism operations after two militants who bombed the Movida nightclub in Puchong, Selangor, last month were detained along with 13 other militants on June 28 and July 1.
In Singapore, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen warned earlier this year that a "gathering storm" of terrorism has the potential to destabilise the region, and called for close cooperation to fight the threat.
On Friday, the Government banned a newspaper published by a media agency affiliated to ISIS.
PROHIBITED
Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim gazetted Al Fatihin, which is produced by Furat Media, as a prohibited publication under the Undesirable Publications Act.
This makes it an offence to distribute the newspaper, which is largely in Bahasa Indonesia, by any means.
The Ministry of Communications and Information said in a statement: "ISIS is a terrorist group which poses a serious threat to the security of Singapore.
"Al Fatihin is yet another step by ISIS to spread its propaganda abroad, with a clear intention to radicalise and recruit South-east Asians to join ISIS. The Singapore Government has zero tolerance for terrorist propaganda."
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