KOTA KINABALU, Jan 25 — Sabah police will investigate a Sabahan arrested in Johor over suspected involvement with the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group for possible ties to local extremist groups here.
Already grappling with security threats from terrorist groups in the Southern Philippines, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun said that they were looking into the background of the Sabahan hotel housekeeping manager who was one of seven suspects arrested over the weekend.
“However, there is no need to exaggerate the issue. He might be Sabahan, but the arrest was made in Johor. We will look into the links with Sabah, give us a chance to investigate it,” said Abdul Rashid.
He was speaking to reporters after attending the state security working committee here today.
The 31-year-old Sabahan, who was working in a hotel in Nusajaya, Johor, was believed to be a cell leader of the suspects, arrested separately in the five states by the Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division between Friday and Sunday for involvement with IS.
The operation in Kedah, Johor, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor was a follow-up arrest after the detention of a suspect at an LRT station in Ampang on January 15 for planning terror attacks in several strategic locations across Malaysia.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who is the state security committee chairman, said they took the threat of IS seriously and would investigate the suspect’s background in detail.
“Security authorities have been ordered to look closely for signs and warnings of militant activities in Sabah and take preventive measures to curb the problem.
“All security agencies will increase their capabilities and work with each other and be very vigilant at looking for any possible threats,” he said.
Musa also said that the general security overview in the state was under control and urged the public to cooperate with authorities by channelling information about suspicious elements.
