Police Confirms IS Involvement In Movida Bombing and Hunting for Suspects

Terrorism rears ugly head in Malaysia

By Jasmine Andria

jasmine@mmail.com.my

PETALING JAYA —  In a swift counter-strike, police arrested 15 suspected Islamic State (IS) militants, including two cops, in connection with the recent grenade attack at the Movida Kitchen Bar and Club Lounge in Puchong Jaya last Tuesday.

They also seized an assortment of weapons, IS-related literature and other paraphernalia.

Counter-terrorism specialists, who have now widened their net to bring in more suspects, also disclosed that a Malaysian masterminded the June 28 attack which left eight people injured and several others traumatised.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar identified the mastermind to be 26-year-old Muhammad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi, who remains at large in Syria, and is reportedly linked to the beheading of a foreigner, purportedly a spy, there.

Khalid’s disclosure yesterday affirms Malay Mail report following the blast attack at the lounge which highlighted the IS link.

The police crackdown, which took place in the Klang Valley and northern states, began days after the incident and continued until last weekend. All those detained were between 19 and 52 years old.

Last Friday, two factory workers were detained in Port Klang after investigations revealed they were individuals who hurled the hand grenade at the lounge.

“The two had received instructions from Muhamad,” Khalid told a press conference at Bukit Aman yesterday.

Police are now looking for Md Saifuddin Muji, 28, and Jasanizam Rosni, 33, both believed to be senior IS members here.

Khalid urged the public to come forward should they have any information on the terror group and also on the whereabouts of the wanted duo.

Police warned that more attacks had been planned, and assured police were on heightened alert.

“These militants were directed by Muhamad to attack our prime minister, high-ranking police officials and other entertainment outlets.”

On the involvement of the cops with the terror outfit, Khalid said the two were attached with the Kedah police contingent.

“One was to protect a senior IS member from being arrested, while another was to raise funds for IS terror activities by committing robberies in the city.”

Investigations also revealed the hand grenade used in the attack was one similar to that used for military training and believed to have been smuggled from a neighbouring country.

On June 29, Malay Mail front-paged that police were probing terrorism links for the attack after a man, pledging allegiance to IS, claimed responsibility.

The said individual in the Facebook post said the attack was in retaliation to social activities held during Ramadan, and was believed to have been uploaded by Muhamad using Abu Hamzah Al- Fateh as his Facebook identity.

Khalid reiterated his previous proposal to the government to place all entertainment outlets in one area for security reasons.

“Clubs and pubs are everywhere. It is hard for us to keep an eye on each one of them. If they were gathered in one area, it would be easier for us to carry out our duties and prevent such incidents.”