KUALA LUMPUR – The government will take stern action against extremists and agitators of recent violent incidents in the country, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
The prime minister there have been attempts to disrupt peace in the nation and its thriving economy.
“In recent weeks, our nation has been shocked by several violent incidents that have claimed the lives of security personnel from actions by extremist groups and instigators.
“I assure you that after my meeting with security forces, we will take firm action against these groups. Insya-Allah, the situation will become calmer and more controlled,” he said in a live address to the nation broadcast by all local media channels tonight, as quoted by Bernama.
The remarks from the Pakatan Harapan chairman came in response to the fatal attack at the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor Bahru last week, which claimed the lives of two police officers.
In the 2.45am incident last Friday, constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24, died after they were attacked by a man armed with a machete, who then seized two firearms from the policemen.
Another policeman was injured when shot during the incident and is in stable condition at the hospital.
Yesterday, Johor police chief Commissioner M. Kumar said seven individuals have been remanded so far for ongoing investigations into the incident.
They are being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
Those remanded include five members of the suspect’s family and two students from local higher education institutions.
Previously, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain told Scoop that all seven people in custody are Malaysians, not Singaporeans.
He said this in response to reports that a Singaporean was among the seven.
The remand order until May 24 against the seven suspects, aged 19 to 62, was issued by magistrate Hidayatul Syuhada Shamsuddin at the Seri Alam police headquarters.
Earlier today, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said authorities in the neighbouring country are tightening security measures in the wake of the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station.
Calling for public vigilance against terrorism threats, Wong said Singapore’s security agencies will continue to monitor global and regional security developments closely.
Wong also said Singapore had detained four youths under the age of 20 who “self-radicalised” under the Internal Security Act in the last two years.
He urged the public to report any suspicious persons or activities to the authorities immediately, stressing that this would allow timely action and prevent them from harming themselves and others.
Since the Ulu Tiram attack last Friday, Singapore’s Home Ministry and Immigration and Checkpoints Authority have said there will be stricter checks at land entry points.
Aside from the incident in Johor, police are currently investigating a death threat against Seputeh MP Teresa Kok, which included two bullets and a warning letter.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the investigation into criminal intimidation under Section 507 of the Penal Code is still ongoing, and no arrests have been made. – May 21, 2024