Crime
Two Johor police officers killed by suspected Jemaah Islamiyah member
Two Johor police officers in Johor were fatally attacked by a suspect linked to extremist group Jemaah Islamiyah. The assailant, 34, was also killed. Malaysian authorities detained five of the suspect’s family members and identified 20 more JI operatives in Johor.
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JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA: Early Friday morning (17 May), an assailant attacked the Ulu Tiram police station along Jalan Kota Tinggi, resulting in the deaths of two policemen and injuring another.
The assailant, who was also killed during the 2:54 am attack, shot at and hacked the policemen.
In a Friday morning press conference, Malaysian Police Chief Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the 34-year-old suspect is believed to have links to Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).
He added that five members of the suspect’s family have been arrested and JI material was found at the suspect’s home.
Items recovered from the slain attacker indicated that the attack had been planned.
“From our investigations, we found that the suspect had brought along a bag containing an armour plate and other paraphernalia in preparation to clash with the police,” he said.
“Investigators believe that the suspect’s attack was to forcefully obtain the policemen’s firearms for a yet-to-be-determined agenda.”
“We have ordered the police Special Branch to identify and arrest known JI members in Johor,” said Razarudin.
The suspect attacked police officers at the scene
The incident occurred at 2:30 am when two college students, a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, arrived to report a molestation incident from two years prior.
The suspect, masked and clad in dark attire, arrived at the police station at that time on a motorcycle, armed with a machete.
The suspect proceeded to attack the on-duty policeman, slashing him repeatedly in the neck before seizing his weapon.
“Another officer rushed to his colleague’s aid, but the suspect fatally shot him,” stated Razarudin, noting that the deceased officers, aged 21 and 22, hailed from Kuantan, Pahang, and Bidor, Perak.
The two slain officers were identified as Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar and Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said.
Ahmad Azza sustained head and neck injuries, likely inflicted by a parang, while Muhamad Syafiq suffered gunshot wounds.
Razarudin further revealed that another officer was wounded during a shootout with the suspect, whom he subsequently shot and killed.
Investigators recovered a Walther 9mm automatic pistol and a Heckler & Koch MP5 sub-machine gun belonging to the police from the scene, indicating a physical altercation with the suspect.
The third injured officer, Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, remained in stable condition at the hospital.
Special Branch identified 20 additional JI operatives in Johor
“In the aftermath,” stated Razarudin, “police detained seven individuals, including five members of the suspect’s family aged 19 to 62.
“This encompasses the young couple who initially visited the station to file a report,” he continued, highlighting inconsistencies in their statements, thus rendering them suspects.
Razarudin said initial investigations revealed that the suspect’s father is a member of a JI faction in Ulu Tiram.
Initial inquiries uncovered the suspect’s father’s affiliation with a JI faction in Ulu Tiram, with Razarudin disclosing the police Special Branch’s identification of 20 additional JI operatives in Johor.
JI’s persistent threat in Malaysia
Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) is a militant Islamist group established in 1993 by Indonesians Abu Bakar Bashir and Abdullah Sungkar.
With historical ties to al-Qaeda, JI has orchestrated numerous high-profile terrorist attacks, notably the 2002 Bali bombings, claiming 202 lives.
Abu Bakar, imprisoned in Indonesia since his 2010 arrest, was released in January 2021 after serving 11 years of his 15-year sentence.
In Malaysia, JI’s presence has been notable, serving as a sanctuary and operational hub for its leaders in the 1980s and 1990s.
Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun stated that if Abu Bakar Bashir were released, Bukit Aman’s Counter Terrorism Division would closely monitor him due to ongoing threats from JI activities in Malaysia.
Abdullah Sungkar, the other founder, passed away in October 1999. In the early 2000s, Malaysian authorities apprehended several senior JI members, disrupting their networks.
Despite these efforts, JI remains a threat, sustaining its ideological sway and recruitment capabilities through Islamic schools and personal connections.
The previous incident of a Malaysian police officer being brutally attacked
The most recent incident of a Malaysian police officer facing a brutal attack occurred at the Pinggiran USJ police station in Subang Jaya, Selangor, in August 2017.
In this tragic event, Lance Corporal Valentino Mesa was discovered deceased by his colleagues at 3:30 am upon their return from a routine patrol.
The victim suffered severe head injuries from being slashed before being fatally shot.
It is suspected that the assailant utilized Valentino’s own service weapon to carry out the shooting.
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But now both the Home Minister and the IGP have confirmed it was the action of a “lone wolf”.
I must congratulate the Malaysian government for their very efficient and conclusive determination after only 2 days of investigations.
That being the case, those held for investigations should be free from remand.
Be sure the Hamas lovers will hail the attacker as a noble “freedom fighter”, somehow paint the Malaysian police has research fundings with Israeli companies.
Wasn’t Mas Selamat found in a village in Johor?
Are you telling me that no attempt has been made since then to determine if JI has still been operating in Johor this entire time?
Are there JI sympathisers in the Malaysian govt, both Federal and State level? This is very dangerous. I hope they understand that.
Theyre getting closer…hope our security forces are on the ball..
Todays news reported a singaporean was detained for questioning as well..