KUALA LUMPUR: Six suspected militants were arrested by the Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division after their plot to attack several locations nationwide was uncovered.
The suspected Islamic State (IS) members, aged between 16 and 21, were caught in the Klang Valley, Kedah, Terengganu and Johor during a special operation on Feb 14 and 15.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the six suspects had pledged allegiance to IS leaders and were actively recruiting new members and plotting attacks on police stations, key government installations and houses of worship.
“They were also promoting the terror group on social media,” he told a press conference at Bukit Aman yesterday.
During the operation, police seized 11 mobile phones, two laptops, an external hard disk, four IS flags, an IS T-shirt and three books.
Mohd Khalid said the suspects had been promoting and discussing terrorism-related activities on social media and messaging platforms.
“The suspects were also believed to have communicated via WhatsApp and maintained connections with individuals in neighbouring countries,” he said.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement. Their discussions within the WhatsApp group allegedly evolved into extremist ideas, including plans for potential attacks.
Police said they have been active for about a year. They were indoctrinated into extremist teachings on social media before they were recruited to closed groups on WhatsApp and Telegram.
Police are also looking for several other suspects aged in their 30s and 40s.
Police have alerted their counterparts in neighbouring countries and sought their assistance in tracking down these suspects.
Police are also examining whether exposure to social media content and excessive online gaming influenced the suspects’ radical thinking.
Mohd Khalid cited the attack on the police station in Ulu Tiram as an example of how online indoctrination could gradually shape a person’s mindset before leading to lone-wolf actions.
He also said the suspects were believed to have been influenced by online narratives related to geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East and by discussions portraying certain countries as un-Islamic.
The six suspects are expected to be charged with terrorism-related offences next week.
Mohd Khalid said the success of the operation demonstrated the police’s efficiency and preparedness in safeguarding national security and public safety.
He added that the police are withholding the identities of those involved in line with Section 15 of the Child Act 2001 and Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
