Recent terror attacks in region linked to death of IS terrorist Wanndy: Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR — Recent terror attacks in Mindanao, Bangkok and Jakarta are linked to the killing of Malaysian Islamic State (IS) terrorist Muhammad Wanndy Jedi, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Thursday (May 25).
A Philippines policeman stands at a checkpoint in Manila as the Philippine National Police is placed under full alert. The death of Wanndy has been cited as the reason for recent terrorist activity in the region. Photo: AP
KUALA LUMPUR — Recent terror attacks in Mindanao, Bangkok and Jakarta are linked to the killing of Malaysian Islamic State (IS) terrorist Muhammad Wanndy Jedi, Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Thursday (May 25).
He cautioned the Malaysian public to be on the alert and keep a lookout for suspicious activities.
The public, he said, should not take the incidents overseas lightly since they could easily occur in Malaysia if authorities are not cautious and if preventive measures are not in place.
“Malaysia’s counterterrorism department is always on the watch (for suspicious activities). The recent bombing in Manchester could happen in this region.
“The police and counterterrorism department are on high alert following the attacks in Manchester and Jakarta. Plain-clothes officers are patrolling several hotspots,” Mr Zahid told a press conference after attending the Big Splash Open Data event on Thursday.
He noted that Malaysia’s Intelligence Unit has identified Katibah Nusantara, a Malay archipelago unit linked to the IS, operating in this region.
Mr Zahid added that Malaysia is working closely with neighbouring countries in information-sharing and is cooperating with Interpol and Aseanapol to combat terrorism.
On Wednesday, two suspected suicide bombers killed three Indonesian police officers and injured 10 people in twin blasts near a bus station in Jakarta.
On Monday, 22 people died and 59 others were badly wounded when Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old Briton of Libyan descent, detonated a homemade bomb at a crowded concert hall in Manchester.
Hours earlier, a bomb explosion at the Royal Thai Army-affiliated Phramongkutklao Hospital, also known as the King Mongkut Hospital, injured 24 people.
In addition, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law on the country’s southern island of Mindanao after about 100 Muslim fighters laid siege to a major city following a deadly gun battle with government forces on Tuesday. NEW STRAITS TIMES
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