Terror cell with Sabah as transit point

Kuala Lumpur: The Federal Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division has uncovered a new terror cell, led by former Universiti Malaya lecturer Dr Mahmud Ahmad, which had merged with the Abu Sayyaf group led by Isnilon Hapilon.Dr Mahmud had planned to use Sabah as a transit point for new Islamic State (IS) recruits from Southeast Asia and South Asia regions before going to the southern Philippines.

This latest development followed the detention of a Filipino, two Bangladeshi men and a local woman by Bukit Aman.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the suspects, aged between 27 and 31, were detained following separate raids by the Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division in Sabah and Kuala Lumpur on Jan 13 and Jan 19.

In the first arrest, a 31-year-old Filipino was picked up in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 13.

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"The first suspect, who is a watch salesman, was assigned by the IS to get new recruits from Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Myanmar for terror groups in Marawi City, Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

"The second suspect is a 27-year-old local woman from Selangor who was recruited by the first suspect via social media," he said in a statement.

Khalid said the woman was arrested along with the Filipino (first suspect) in Kota Kinabalu when she took a flight to Kota Kinabalu from KL International Airport and police believe she was planning to fly to Sandakan before travelling to southern Philippines.

"The woman admitted that she was planning to marry the first suspect," he added. The remaining suspects were two Bangladeshi men, who were salesmen aged 27 and 28.

"They were arrested on Jan 19 and have connections to IS cells in Bangladesh as well and they were also recruited by the first suspect," he said.

"On the cells' merger, Isnilon has also sworn a 'bai'ah' or oath of allegiance to IS leader, Abu Bakar Al Baghdadi.

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Aside from Dr Mahmud, two other prominent cell members are locals - Darul Islam Sabah member Amin Bacho and Joraimee Awang," said Khalid.

Khalid said all the suspects are being detained for suspicion of committing offences under Chapter VI A of the Penal Code, and are being investigated according to procedures under the Security Offences (Special Measure) 2012 (Act 747).

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