Hisham: Ensure family members aren’t swayed by movements that support violence

From the Star Online (Dec 21): Hisham: Ensure family members aren’t swayed by movements that support violence

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians have been urged to keep a close watch on their families as militants are known to recruit and influence people to join their cause via various methods, including through the Internet, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. The public should take heed of the death of suspected Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) member Mohd Noor Fikrie Abd Kahar in southern Philippines last week, he said. Mohd Noor Fikrie was gunned down by Davao police in a stand- off after he was suspected to be in possession of an explosive device. “I would like to take this opportunity to advise all Malaysians to be on the alert on the movements of their family members. “This is to prevent our family members from being influenced and easily deceived by any ideologies as well as militant movements that support violence,” Hishammuddin said in a statement yesterday.

Mohd Noor Fikrie, 26, and his Filipina wife, Annabelle Nieva Lee, were checking out of the Sampaguita Hotel when they were cornered by local police. The deceased had tried to flee with a backpack bomb and a mobile detonation device, which he threatened to set off if the police made any move to arrest him. He was shot dead by the police while his wife was arrested and is being interrogated. The bomb, made of 60mm mortar, was later recovered from the backpack and defused.

News reports have claimed that Mohd Noor Fikrie was in close contact with top JI leader and fellow Malaysian Zulkifli Abdul Hir, also known as Marwan, through the use of social media. Retired cop Abd Kahar Sirul, 53, who is Mohd Noor Fikrie's father, said his son spent a lot of time on social media, such as Facebook, after his first marriage ended.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/12/21/nation/12491429&sec=nation