TWO Malaysians and four foreigners, including a Singaporean, have been detained by police on suspicion of being involved with terrorist groups, said Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun

Fuzi said the first arrest involved a Singaporean businessman aged 48 years-old in Johor Baru on December 19 last year.

He said the suspect had helped channel funds to another suspect, Akel Zainal, who had joined a Syrian terrorist group.

“The suspect also received instructions from Akel Zainal to recruit a few more individuals to launch an attack on the Freemason building in Johor Baru.

“The arrest is the result of the cooperation with the Singapore Internal Security Department (ISD) and the suspect was passed to the Singapore police on January 7 after being investigated by the Malaysian Special Branch,” he said in statement today.

Fuzi said the second arrest was on the same day in Klang, Selangor and involved a Bangladesh man who is believed to have supported the Islamic State, and was active in recruiting Malaysians to join the the group.

“Two locals who worked as farmers in a foreign country were also arrested during an operation in Sepang, Selangor on January 10 for supporting the Islamic State terror group.

“One of the suspects also channelled funds to Khairul Amizan Azmi, who is a Malaysians who joined a terrorist group in Syria,” he said.

Fuzi said the next arrest involved a Filipino contract worker who is a member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). He had also entered the country illegally in March last year.

“The suspect is skilled at handling firearms and has ties with the ASG leader in South Philippines, Furuji Indama.

“The final arrest involves a 26-year-old housing contractor from a South Asia country who is also protecting an individual, also from a South Asian country, who is listed in Interpol’s Red Notice for being involved in various criminal activities and terrorism,” he said.

All suspects were charged for allegedly committing a crime under Chapter VIA – Offences Related to Violence, Penal Code and will be investigated according to procedure under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act. – February 15, 2019.