KUALA LUMPUR - A 21-year-old man, who has been receiving guidance from top Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fighters on making explosives to be used in attacks at non-Muslim places of worship, is among three suspected militants arrested by Malaysia's counter-terrorism unit.
National police chief Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said the unemployed man has admitted to receiving instructions from Malaysia's most wanted terrorist Mahmud Ahmad and a Saudi Arabian bomb expert to produce improvised explosive devices (IED) on a large scale.
"He was arrested in Bagan Serai, Perak on Sept 8, and has links with Al-Qaeda and Abu Sayyaf militants. The suspect is believed to have joined the terror group since early this year. He has attempted to make the bombs three times," Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi said.
The top cop added that the man has also received orders from a Malaysian ISIS fighter in Syria to purchase a pistol, M-16 and AK-47 rifles, and a hand grenade from a neighbouring country for the purpose of launching attacks on non-Muslims' places of worship in Malaysia.
"We also seized bomb-making chemicals at the suspect's house," he said.
In a separate raid, a 38-year-old cendol seller was arrested in Melaka on Sept 10 for producing ISIS flags and promoting the terror group's struggle.
Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi said the man had planned to join the ISIS faction in southern Philippines and in Rakhine, Myanmar.
On the same day, the counter-terrorism division also arrested a 41-year-old bus driver in Petaling Jaya in Selangor for planning to join ISIS in Syria later this year.
All three suspects are Malaysian.