Nine suspected Malaysian militants were detained Monday for allegedly planning to carry out terrorist acts in the country and abroad, police said
ine suspected Malaysian militants were detained Monday for allegedly planning to carry out terrorist acts in the country and abroad, police said.
National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said the nine, aged between 25 and 55, were arrested Monday in several locations near Kuala Lumpur and in northern Kedah state bordering Thailand.
Khalid said in a statement that the nine were believed to be involved "in a militant group responsible for planning terror acts in and outside the country" and that they have links with terrorist cells abroad.
He said some of them had undergone terrorism training and held secret meetings to raise funds and spread their militant ideology. There were no further details and police officials declined to comment.
The nine were held under Malaysia's Security Offenses Act, which allows police to hold suspects for up to 28 days before they must be brought to court.
Over the past decade, Malaysian authorities have detained more than 100 militant suspects, most of them alleged to be members of Jemaah Islamiyah, a regional terrorist group linked to al-Qaida. Authorities have freed most of them, saying they have been rehabilitated. (**)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.