Abu Sayyaf aims to establish militant cells in Sabah: IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite pre-emptive measures taken by security forces, the east coast of Sabah remains vulnerable as South Philippines Daesh militants are defiant in exerting its influence on the state.
Plans to establish strong militant cells and subsequently launch attacks in Sabah continues to be the mission of the South Phillippines-based Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) - the terrorist network responsible for the bloody Lahad Datu incursion exactly five years ago.
Facilitating the plot of the ASG are none other than Malaysians who apart from being tasked to recruit new members, are assisting in the movements of militants between countries.
Today, police revealed the arrest of 10 suspected militants including a woman who was among those involved in the plot.
The suspects comprised of two Malaysian men, a Malaysian woman and the rest Filipinos who are aged between 27 and 50 were nabbed in several stings launched by the federal police Special Branch's Counter Terrorism Division (CTD) between Jan 24 and Feb 6 in Sandakan and Penampang.
Among those detained was a passenger boat pilot, a security officer of a private company and an unlicensed currency exchanger.
Also held was a 49-year-old Filipino taxi driver with Malaysian permanent residence status.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the suspects had turned Sandakan into transit grounds where militants from other countries were smuggled in before being sent to the South Philippines.
He said among those of interest held in the operations were - a 27-year-old suspected senior member of the Basilan-based ASG cell and a 39-year-old man who had sworn allegiance before key leaders of the group and underwent a series of militant training since 2000.
"Based on preliminary findings from those held, the ASG is attempting to form a cell in Sabah to arrange for Daesh fighters from all of south-east Asia to undergo militant training in South Philippines. This cell will also be used to launch armed attacks on Sabah in the future." Mohamad Fuzi said.
Police also revealed that in a separate case, a 34-year-old Malaysian who had planned to join the Daesh in Syria was arrested in Singapore by the authorities on Jan 18.
Mohammad Fuzi said the lorry driver who is from Penang was handed over to the Special Branch in Johor Baru by Singapore on Feb 2.
He said the suspects are being held under anti-terrorism laws of the Penal Code and Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA).