FOUR suspected terrorists who had planned to create mayhem during Ramadan – to assassinate several high-profile individuals and attack houses of worship – were nabbed in a series of operations last week.

The four Islamic State (IS) sympathisers had also wanted to avenge the death of fireman Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim who died after sustaining injuries during the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riots in Selangor last November.

Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said the four were picked up by the federal police’s Counter Terrorism Department at various locations since the beginning of May.

“One of the group’s main objectives was to avenge the death of fireman Adib.

“All four have pledged their allegiance to the now defunct IS terror group. 

“They were planning to kill high-profile individuals whose identities we cannot reveal as it is very sensitive.

“The group had also planned bomb attacks at entertainment outlets and houses of worships in the Klang Valley during Ramadan.

“We seized six improvised explosive devices (IED) from one of the suspects,” Hamid told a press conference.

He said the operation took place on May 5 and May 7.

“The first man we detained on May 5 was the mastermind. He is apprehended in Kuala Berang Terengganu. He planned to bomb temples and churches as well as entertainment outlets.

“We seized a pistol from him and six EIDs. The bombs were smuggled from a neighbouring country.

“The second arrest was made on May 7 in Kuala Lumpur where we apprehended a Rohingya with a refugee status. This man admitted to support Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and has the intention to attack the Myanmar embassy.

“The third arrest was on the same day in Subang Jaya where we detained an Indonesian man, and the last arrest was in Jalan Klang Lama involving another Rohingya man aged 27.

“All four suspects communicated via WhatsApp and they received instruction from a Malaysian national who is still in Syria,” said Hamid.

He later said that the group of four men was established in January.

Hamid added that police are currently looking for three more members of the group who have since gone into hiding. 

“We are tracking three more men. They belong to this group. We are looking for Syazni Mahzan from Bidong Kedah, Nurul Azim Azizan also from Bidong Kedah and Fathir Thir, an Indonesian, but his last address was in Banting Selangor,” he said.

All four were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act. – May 13, 2019.