The Malaysian Insight

THREE suspected Islamic State followers arrested in Sandakan, Sabah, yesterday were planning to join extremist forces in Marawi City, where the Philippine military is engaged in a pitched battle with Islamist radical fighters for the past four weeks,  Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said today.

He said Malaysian police’s counterterrorism team seized three Rambo-style knives from the Sabahan and two Indonesians who were arrested.

“They wanted to use the weapons against the police if they got arrested. Luckily they failed to do so,” he said in a press conference held at Bukit Aman this morning.

Dramatic of video of the arrests of the suspected extremists has gone viral on social media.

It shows police counterterrorism operatives in full tactical gear surrounding and apprehending a suspect in the middle of  what appears to be a residential area in broad daylight.

The southern Philippine city of Marawi has been the scene of intense urban combat since May 23, leading to President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in the area.

The fighting erupted when Philippine security forces moved in to arrest notorious Abu Sayaf leader Isnilon Hapilon in Marawi. However, scores of heavily armed fighters emerged to defend the militant leader, and are now holed up in the centre of the city.

Marawi is regarded as the heartland of the Islamic faith on Mindanao Island. So far, reports indicate that 290 people had been killed, including 206 militants, 58 soldiers and 26 civilians.

The Philippines military believe about 100 militants are in the besieged area. There are also an estimated 300 to 600 civilians trapped or being held hostage in the city.

In another operation, Khalid said the police counterterrorism team arrested an Indonesian in Slim River, Perak on June 12.

He said the suspect, who came in on a valid travel pass, had wanted to launch attack against Malaysian police officers.

All four suspects, aged between 30 and 48, have been detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), which allow them to be detained for up to 60 days before being taken to court to be charged.

Khalid said the police was prepared to face any threats that might  crop in the run-up to or during the Sea Games in August.

“We are not just talking about threats from Daesh (the Arabic acronym for IS) but also any threat that may jeaopardise our nation and the SEA games,” he said. 

Malaysia will host the Sea Games from August 19 to August 31.

The Southeast Asian Games is a biennial multisports event involving the 11 countries in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia will also celebrate its 60th independence day on August 31. – June 16, 2017.