7 arrested in Malaysia for suspect terror link, over S$85K seized

Seven men have been detained in Klang Valley, Malaysia for suspected ties to terror groups.

Among the seven are four Yemenis, and the men were arrested by Malaysia’s Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division between Feb 21 and 26 in a series of raid, reports The Star Online via The Coverage.

The suspects are a 41-year-old Malaysian factory technician, a 28-year-old Indonesian farmer, a 37-year-old East Asian man, and four Yemenis.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Khalid Abu Bakar said the Malaysian and Indonesian suspects were detained in the town of Kepong, Malaysia. 

He alleged that the group was  taking orders from a known radical from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Mohamad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi.

Said IGP Khalid on Mar 6, 2017: 

“They were ordered to prepare a large-scale vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) for attacks in Malaysia before making their way to Syria to join ISIS there. 

“The Indonesian was previously deported from Turkey after attempting to enter Syria illegally.”

The East Asian suspect was detained on Feb 23, having entered Malaysia via a student visa which was believed to be fake and enrolled in a public institution of higher learning at the Klang Valley. 

The suspect is also believed to have ties with an East Asia terrorist group member who is responsible for arranging safe passage for the group to join ISIS fighter back in Syria. 

Khalid added:

“He has ties with an East Asian terror group which used Malaysia as a transit point and a hideout.”

Lastly, the four Yemenis were arrested in the town of Cyberbjaya on Feb 26. 

The police also seized international passports and money amounting up in RM270,000 (S$85,475) in various different denominations.