‘Fewer Malaysians joining IS since recruiter’s death’

KUALA LUMPUR — The trend of Malaysians joining the Islamic State (IS) has slowed following the death of top IS recruiter Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi in April, a senior Malaysian police officer claims.

The country’s counter-terrorism police chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said that although there has been a drop in the number of people joining the terrorist group, the police will continue to remain vigilant.

“Although the trend seems to have slowed down, it does not mean that they are not active. Maybe they are active, but we are unable to trace their activities,” he said.

“This is why we will continue with our surveillance (activities) and collecting intelligence to ensure any attempts to launch an attack (in Malaysia) can be thwarted.” 

Malaysia confirmed in May that Muhammad Wanndy was killed in an attack in Raqqa, Syria, on April 29. 

Muhammad Wanndy was wanted in Malaysia for recruiting local fighters and coordinating attacks in the country. 

He was also placed on the United States’ Specially Designated Global Terrorist list in March, making him a high-profile target for law enforcement agencies worldwide.

He first gained notoriety when he and another Malaysian, Mohd Faris Anuar, appeared in a 30-second video showing the beheading of a Syrian man by the IS in 2015.

Muhammad Wanndy, a Malaysian who used the nom de guerre Abu Hamzah Al-Fateh, had also coordinated several attacks and provided material support to IS fighters in Malaysia, including in the attack on a nightclub in Selangor in June last year.

Mr Ayob said Muhammad Wanndy recruited people openly through social media.

He added that it was possible that there were still Malaysians in Syria doing the same thing.

As such, Mr Ayob said it was important for the authorities to gather intelligence to combat lone-wolf attacks.

When asked if there were such attacks in Malaysia, Mr Ayob said there was only one case in Malaysia and even then, they had received orders from Malaysian militants in Syria.

“It could happen anywhere. It is impossible to thwart, unless there is intelligence,” he said, without elaborating on the case. 

Malaysia has been on high alert since suicide bombers and gunmen linked to the IS launched multiple attacks in Jakarta in January last year. 

Malaysia has also been identified by the militant group as a high-priority target. 

The authorities have stepped up efforts over the past few months to prevent IS lone-wolf terrorists from coming together to stage bigger attacks in the country, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed previously told TODAY. 

Since 2013, more than 260 militants have been put behind bars by the Malaysian authorities.  AGENCIES