PETALING JAYA: The suspect behind the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor Bahru early this morning is believed to have been a member of the Southeast Asian extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said five family members of the suspect have been arrested to assist in the investigation into the attack, Bernama reported.
He said two complainants who filed reports on the attack have also been detained to assist in the probe.
Jemaah Islamiyah was behind the 2002 bomb attacks in Bali that killed over 200 people. More bombings targeted the Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta in 2009.
Its members reportedly received military training in Afghanistan during the 1990s, and the group is alleged to have ties with Al-Qaeda.
Razarudin said police have identified over 20 Jemaah Islamiyah members currently in Johor following today’s attack.
He said the suspect was found to have made preparations prior to attacking the police station, although he had no criminal record.
The masked suspect reportedly attacked the Ulu Tiram police station at about 2.45am, armed with a gun and a parang. He killed two policemen and injured another before being shot dead at the scene.
Police later recovered a Walther P99 pistol and a HK MP5 rifle from him.
The injured policeman is currently in stable condition, according to Razarudin. The top cop added that security would be tightened at all police stations following this incident.
