Malaysia has called for a stronger cooperation with the Philippines to neutralise imminent terror threats following intelligence reports that Islamic State militants were trying to unite militants in the region.
File Photo: Philippine Marines' armoured vehicles are deployed in Patikul in southern Jolo island to hunt Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants. (Photo: AFP/File/Therence Koh)
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called for a stronger cooperation with the Philippines to neutralise imminent terror threats.
This followed intelligence reports that Islamic State (IS) militants were trying to unite militants in the region, including the Abu Sayyaf terror group in the Philippines, to form an IS movement in South East Asia.
On Friday, Philippine authorities arrested two members of the Abu Sayyaf group said to be responsible for the kidnapping of two Malaysians from a seafood restaurant in the state of Sabah and the beheading of one of the victims, Bernard Then.
Now Malaysia's police chief, Khalid Abu Bakar, wants the two militants extradited to face trial in the country.
Bernard Then, 39, was abducted from a seafood restaurant, along with the restaurant’s manager, Thien Nyuk Fun. The 50-year-old restaurant manager was released after ransom was paid, but Bernard Then was beheaded after negotiations failed.
The gruesome murder has gripped the nation and strengthened the government's resolve to fight terrorism.
Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said cooperation with the Philippines, where the Abu Sayaff is based, must be shored up to weed out the group from its stronghold in Jolo, in the southern Philippines.
Mr Hishammuddin said: "Even though we have a very good working relation bilaterally with the Philippines, it needs to be strengthened because of the threat the world is facing recently in Paris and other parts of the world."
He added that the immediate threat the region faces came after the declaration of support by Abu Sayyaf for IS and the group's plans to establish a caliphate in the Sulu Sea.
The country is conducting a massive manhunt for three wanted Malaysian militant suspects said to be working hand in glove with the Abu Sayyaf. All three have been on Malaysia’s wanted list since April last year.
Led by former university lecturer Dr Mahmud Ahmad, also known as Abu Handzalah, they are said to be planning to form a Southeast Asian faction of Islamic State by working together with terror groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah.
Earlier this month, Malaysian police said it received unconfirmed reports of meetings that took place in Sulu in southern Philippines between Islamic State militants and members of Abu Sayyaf.
The Abu Sayyaf group is well-known for its kidnap-for-ransom activities. Some are believed to be members of a secret society known as Knights of the Right Keepers that once swore allegiance to the Sulu sultanate. Its members are among those facing trial for the rebel incursion into Lahad Datu two years ago.
Indeed since the deadly incursion by Sulu militants, Malaysia has beefed up security along the eastern coast of Sabah, said Malaysia's defence minister. Two offshore bases are already in place, and the existing airport in Lahad Datu has been upgraded. The army has also set up another batallion there, including moving its fighter jets from Butterworth to Labuan.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-calls-for/2306432.html
On Friday, Philippine authorities arrested two members of the Abu Sayyaf group said to be responsible for the kidnapping of two Malaysians from a seafood restaurant in the state of Sabah and the beheading of one of the victims, Bernard Then.
Now Malaysia's police chief, Khalid Abu Bakar, wants the two militants extradited to face trial in the country.
Bernard Then, 39, was abducted from a seafood restaurant, along with the restaurant’s manager, Thien Nyuk Fun. The 50-year-old restaurant manager was released after ransom was paid, but Bernard Then was beheaded after negotiations failed.
The gruesome murder has gripped the nation and strengthened the government's resolve to fight terrorism.
Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said cooperation with the Philippines, where the Abu Sayaff is based, must be shored up to weed out the group from its stronghold in Jolo, in the southern Philippines.
Mr Hishammuddin said: "Even though we have a very good working relation bilaterally with the Philippines, it needs to be strengthened because of the threat the world is facing recently in Paris and other parts of the world."
He added that the immediate threat the region faces came after the declaration of support by Abu Sayyaf for IS and the group's plans to establish a caliphate in the Sulu Sea.
The country is conducting a massive manhunt for three wanted Malaysian militant suspects said to be working hand in glove with the Abu Sayyaf. All three have been on Malaysia’s wanted list since April last year.
Led by former university lecturer Dr Mahmud Ahmad, also known as Abu Handzalah, they are said to be planning to form a Southeast Asian faction of Islamic State by working together with terror groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah.
Earlier this month, Malaysian police said it received unconfirmed reports of meetings that took place in Sulu in southern Philippines between Islamic State militants and members of Abu Sayyaf.
The Abu Sayyaf group is well-known for its kidnap-for-ransom activities. Some are believed to be members of a secret society known as Knights of the Right Keepers that once swore allegiance to the Sulu sultanate. Its members are among those facing trial for the rebel incursion into Lahad Datu two years ago.
Indeed since the deadly incursion by Sulu militants, Malaysia has beefed up security along the eastern coast of Sabah, said Malaysia's defence minister. Two offshore bases are already in place, and the existing airport in Lahad Datu has been upgraded. The army has also set up another batallion there, including moving its fighter jets from Butterworth to Labuan.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-calls-for/2306432.html
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