JOHOR BARU: When a couple of students came to the Ulu Tiram police station at 2.30am to seek advice from the police over a sexual assault case that happened two years ago, the officers in the station were quizzical, and distracted.
Just then, a masked motorcyclist rode into the compound, hacked to death a policeman who confronted him, grabbed his gun and started shooting at the other policemen in the station.
In the gunfight, a policeman was killed and another wounded while the assailant, said to be a member of the extremist Jemaah Islamiah (JI) movement, was also shot dead.
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The small town of Ulu Tiram is now a hotbed of activity with the Inspector-General of Police ordering the arrest of 20 suspected JI members. So far, seven people have been nabbed, including the two students and family members of the 21-year-old attacker, identified as Radin Romyullah Radin Imran.
The slain cops have been identified as Konst Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar and Konst Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, both aged 22, while Kpl Mohd Hasif Roslan has been hospitalised with gunshot wounds in his left shoulder and waist.
The IGP, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, said the assailant had come prepared for a fight with the police based on the contents of his bag, which he had used as a shield. There were zinc sheets, paper and clothes inside.
Razarudin said five family members of the suspect have been arrested, including his 62-year-old father, who is believed to be a member of JI. The youngest family member arrested was 19.
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“We also found texts pasted on the walls of their house,” he said.
Describing the attack, Razarudin said the student couple – a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman – had come to the police station at 2.30am to seek advice regarding a sexual assault case that happened two years ago.
“To me, personally, this is a bit suspicious. Coming at 2.30am over an incident that happened two years ago is indeed illogical.
“The attacker then came on a motorcycle and went to the back of the police station (where the public is not allowed). Konst Ahmad Azza went to talk to him but he was hacked in the neck.
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“The suspect then took the victim’s gun. At the same time, another two MPV (mobile patrol vehicle) policemen, who had just finished their patrol, returned to the police station and the shootout happened.”
Konst Muhamad Syafiq died in the shootout before the assailant was also killed.
Razarudin added that the suspect’s likely motive was to steal weapons from the police station.
He said Kpl Mohd Hasif, who was shot, was in stable condition and currently being treated at Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI).
“His injury is quite serious, but his condition is stable. Our focus right now is in helping the families of the dead policemen. Their bodies will be sent to their families in Bidor, Perak, and Gambang, Pahang,” he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
It is learnt the seven suspects will be brought to the Johor Baru court to get a remand order.
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“I have ordered our Special Branch to round up about 20 JI members in Johor. This is to prevent any action that this group may take.
“We will also beef up security at all our police stations, the Johor Palace, and the Johor Mentri Besar’s residence,” he said when met after visiting the Ulu Tiram police station.
Razarudin also urged all policemen to be on their guard.
“All of them, especially those on the ground, have been trained on how to protect themselves,” he said.
