Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah
New Straits Times9 February 2018
KOTA BARU: Police yesterday disclosed that a number of Islamic State (IS) militants, who had been detained since 2013, received training in making bombs in several countries.
Federal Police Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division principal assistant director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the militants, including two women, received training from militants in Thailand, Indonesia and other neighbouring countries.
He said they were detained in a series of operations throughout the country since 2013.
“Apart from networking with local IS members, our investigations have revealed that the Kelantan IS militants have good contacts in other countries, especially Thailand.
“This was based on investigations into the 23, who were detained the last three years.
“Some of them learned to make bombs, while the rest learnt to handle weapons,” he told the New Straits Times.
Of the 23, said Ayob Khan, 15 were detained in the state while the rest were nabbed in other states.
“They were detained in several locations in Kelantan, including Kota Baru, Pasir Mas and Kuala Krai, while eight were picked up in various places, including Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Selangor, Perlis, Melaka and Pahang.”
Asked about possible militant activities in Kelantan, Ayob Khan said the situation was still under control although Kelantan shared a border with Thailand.
Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay
“Statistics show that Kelantan was not top on the list of militants detained. However, police will monitor the situation closely.
“Although the number of militants held in Kelantan are fewer, we will not take this for granted and our officers will conduct regular checks.
“We do not want the country to continue receiving such threats from the group.
“We want to ensure the people live peacefully without any untoward incidents,” he said.
As of last October, police statistics showed that Kelantan was fifth on the list of states where IS militants were detained.
Topping the list was Perak with 39 militants, Kedah (36), Kuala Lumpur (34) and Johor (29).
The statistics showed that more than 300 IS militants, including students, had been detained in the country since 2013. Meanwhile, sources said most of the militants detained in Kelantan had been crossing into Thailand from illegal jetties.
“They took advantage of the more than 100 illegal jetties along Sungai Golok to cross into Sungai Golok town.
“Some, however, chose to pass through the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine complex and walked along the Muhibbah bridge like regular people,” said one source. © New Straits Time
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