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IS gives Wanndy a terror attack deadline for Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR — Syria-based militant Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi is at risk of losing his position as Islamic State’s (IS) Malaysia leader if he fails to carry out major terror attacks in a South-east Asian country by the year’s end, according to a report.

The Star reported that Muhammad Wanndy has promised IS leaders that he would be able to ‘wreak havoc’ in Malaysia in several months’ time. Photo: Malay Mail Online

The Star reported that Muhammad Wanndy has promised IS leaders that he would be able to ‘wreak havoc’ in Malaysia in several months’ time. Photo: Malay Mail Online

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KUALA LUMPUR — Syria-based militant Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi is at risk of losing his position as Islamic State’s (IS) Malaysia leader if he fails to carry out major terror attacks in a South-east Asian country by the year’s end, according to a report.

“He has failed to carry out attacks in Malaysia as planned. This has infuriated its (IS) Syrian and Iraqi leaders,” reported The Star on Wednesday (April 26), citing a source.

Wanndy has attempted to orchestrate several terror attacks in the past, with the first being the grenade attack on a night club in Selangor last year — the first IS attack on Malaysian soil. The Movida nightclub bombing did not kill anyone, but injured eight people. 

The intelligence source also noted that he has “limited time” to try to justify his position as the top Malaysian IS operative. 

“He has promised the IS leaders that he will be able to wreak havoc in Malaysia in several months’ time,” the source was quoted as saying.

The source added that Wanndy is also trying to convince more than 50 Malaysians not to leave Syria. The group has purportedly “lost faith” and rejected cash offers from him to stay. 

Malaysia has been on high alert since suicide bombers and gunmen linked to IS launched multiple attacks in Jakarta, the capital of neighbouring Indonesia, in January last year. It has also been identified by the militant group as being a high-priority target.

The authorities have stepped up efforts over the past 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. 

Wanndy has been attempting to widen the IS’ influence in Malaysia. The intelligence source said he is trying to lure more Malaysians to join the militant group with the promise of monthly salaries. “About 80 per cent of those he has managed to influence were found to be addicts and introverts,” said the source.

Wanndy has been using social media to recruit more followers. He is said to have sought the help of IS leaders for hackers to infiltrate the country’s social-media networks.

Wanndy’s main targets are said to be individuals with the tendency to make racist remarks or to criticise leaders on Facebook. 

He has allegedly set up more than 100 WhatsApp groups whose members include students throughout Malaysia. “He will attempt to befriend them online and when he gets a response, he will begin indoctrinating the individuals with IS propaganda,” said the source. AGENCIES

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