Trio held for planning Malaysia independence day attack

By P Prem Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysian police say they have arrested three suspected Daesh militants who planned to attack strategic targets in the capital at the start of the country's 59th independence day celebrations.

In a statement released Wednesday, police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said that the trio were arrested earlier this week for targeting a Hindu temple, an entertainment outlet and a police station in capital Kuala Lumpur.

"The three are Malaysians who received orders from Muhammad Wanndy Mohamed Jedi [a Malaysian-born Daesh leader based in Syria] to launch the attacks by using grenades or firearms on the eve of national day," Bakar said.

He said that on completion of the attacks, the suspects -- aged between 20 and 27 -- planned to leave the country for Syria to join Daesh.

"Police confiscated a grenade, pistol and 24 bullets from one of the suspects. These items were believed to have been supplied by Muhammad [Jedi]," Bakar said.

Jedi, a Malaysian who also goes by the name Abu Hamzah al-Fateh, was instrumental in Daesh's first attack in Kuala Lumpur on June 28 when eight customers at an entertainment center were injured after a hand grenade was hurled towards them.

He is also suspected of recruiting Malaysians to join the terror movement in Syria, and planning attacks on Malaysia's senior political leaders, police and judges.

Since 2013, Malaysian police have detained more than 230 terror suspects -- including 200 locals -- with authorities ever aware of the rising influence of Daesh in the country.

To-date, some 90 Malaysians have been identified as fighting with Daesh in Syria.