26 militant, terror plots foiled by Special Branch between 2012 and 2024
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 26 planned militant and terrorist attacks were thwarted by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism division (E8) between 2012 and 2024, says Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police said the terror plots were thwarted through intelligence-led operations by the E8.
"The division adapted its investigative and enforcement methods following the repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) in 2011 and the introduction of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), which came into force on July 31, 2012.
"The ISA was repealed after a surprise announcement by then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Sept 15, 2011, despite earlier engagements involving the Attorney General’s Chambers, police and civil society groups to amend the law," he said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (Jan 28).
Ayob Khan, who is a former head of E8, said officers under the then Special Task Force Department (Operations & Counter Terrorism) worked closely with the Attorney General’s Chambers to ensure investigations complied with Sosma and were legally comprehensive.
“The first case under Sosma involved the Tandzim Al-Qaeda Malaysia (TAQM) group, which had been monitored since early 2012,” he said, adding that extensive consultations were held with senior prosecutors to ensure proper handling of protected witnesses and evidence.
In Feb 2013, Ayob Khan said the police arrested four suspects, including a former ISA detainee and a woman, for plotting an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on a foreign embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
"All were later convicted under the Penal Code and sentenced to between seven and 12 years’ imprisonment," he said.
Following that success, he said the task force, later renamed the E8, intensified efforts against both domestic and foreign-linked terror threats.
"Between 2012 and 2024, the division disrupted 26 planned attacks, of which 13 involved group-based operations and 15 were lone-wolf plots.
"However, two attacks were successfully carried out — the bombing at a nightclub in Puchong in June 2016 and the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor in May 2024, which claimed the lives of two policemen," he said.
Ayob Khan said 75 individuals linked to militant and terrorist activities, all of whom subscribed to Salafi-jihadist ideology associated with the Islamic State (IS) terror group, were detained during the same period.
"The suspects were dealt with under Sosma before being charged under the Penal Code or subjected to detention or restriction orders under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) or the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota).
“All suspects charged under the Penal Code were convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to 25 years,” he said.
Among the plots foiled were planned bomb attacks on foreign embassies, places of worship, entertainment outlets, government buildings and senior political leaders, as well as kidnapping attempts and armed robberies to finance militant activities.
Ayob Khan also addressed scepticism from some quarters regarding the capabilities of the arrested suspects.
"Investigations revealed that several had already constructed IEDs, vehicle-borne explosive devices (VBIEDs), firearms and grenades, and had conducted successful test explosions," he explained.
He said the effectiveness of preventive laws such as Sosma, Pota and Poca was crucial in disrupting attacks before lives were lost.
“Security must be balanced with human rights. There is no absolute freedom when public safety is at stake,” he said, warning that weakening preventive laws could expose the country to serious security risks.
Ayob Khan also commended E8 officers for their tenacity and commitment, especially Asst Comm Simon Kwan, Supt Mohd Raby, Deputy Supt Zaini and the division's legal expert Deputy Supt Mah Chui Meng.
"Their commitment and relentless determination led to successful operations conducted by the E8 during that period," he stressed.
