Ministry confirms identity of militant

Fromt the New Straits Times (Dec 18): Ministry confirms identity of militant

PUTRAJAYA: The Home Ministry yesterday confirmed that the Malaysian shot dead by security forces in the southern Philippines last Friday was militant Mohd Noor Fikrie Abd Kahar. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the 26-year-old was from Malacca and had entered the southern Philippines in April. "I also want to confirm that Noor Fikrie joined a militant group and it is believed that he had learned how to make bombs when he was in the country," he said in a statement yesterday.

Hishammudin said Noor Fikrie's family had requested help from the government to bring back the body. "I have instructed the police to make arrangements for his body to be brought back for burial immediately." He said several of Noor Fikrie's family members and ministry officers would travel to Davao to make arrangements to bring back the body. "The government views with grave concern the subversive activities and threats of militant and terrorist groups because they could undermine a country's peace and security. In this case, we always work closely with the security agencies of foreign countries. This is to ensure the safety of our country and the region." Noor Fikrie, a member of Jemaah Islamiyah, had threatened to blow up a homemade explosive device before he was shot dead in Davao.

 http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/ministry-confirms-identity-of-militant-1.187942