Johor police station attack: No Singaporean detained, says Malaysian police chief
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In the incident on May 17, two policemen were killed while another was injured after they were attacked by an intruder at the Ulu Tiram station.
PHOTO: BERNAMA
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PASIR GUDANG, Johor – Seven individuals who were detained on May 17 in connection with the Ulu Tiram police station attack
The remand order was issued by magistrate Hidayatul Syuhada Shamsudin at the Seri Alam District Police Headquarters for May 18 to 24.
It was issued to assist investigations under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.
In the incident at 2.45am on May 17, two policemen – Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24 – were killed, while another policeman was injured, after they were attacked by an intruder at the Ulu Tiram station.
Constable Mohd Hasif Roslan, who was injured, is in stable condition at the Sultan Ismail Hospital.
The masked intruder
He was acting alone, according to Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
“Based on interrogation (of) over 40 individuals and checks on the suspect’s house, the man was acting as a lone wolf... This is a lone-wolf attack,” said Datuk Seri Saifuddin.
Five of the seven people detained during a morning raid on May 17 were the suspect’s family members, aged between 19 and 62, while two others were students from institutions of higher learning who are believed to have a connection to the incident.
They were represented by Malaysia’s National Legal Aid Foundation’s Muhammad Zahier Rosli, Bustaman Menon Abdul Hamid Menon and Sulaiman Zamani.
No Singaporean, not JI
Multiple reports had stated that a Singaporean, a 65-year-old woman, was among the seven remanded, but Malaysia’s Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain refuted that on May 18.
“All of those who were detained are Malaysian citizens,” Tan Sri Razarudin said, when contacted by Malaysia’s New Straits Times (NST).
He also corrected earlier reports that the assailant had ties to the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).
“The suspect who was shot dead was found to have no connection with the JI terrorist group,” he told NST.
NST reported that the suspect was 21 years old, and that it was his father who had an involvement with JI.
It is understood that the remand was issued at the district police headquarters, where the seven suspects are now detained, instead of at the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court, because of safety concerns.
Meanwhile, security measures at police stations across Malaysia have been heightened, including the use of brighter lights for better monitoring.
“Security measures at police stations are always implemented, and there are security controls in place... From now on, we will tighten and streamline the inspection process for anyone entering the station, especially during night-time,” Selangor police chief Hussein Omar told Bernama on May 18.
Constables Muhamad Syafiq and Ahmad Azza Fahmi were buried in their respective home towns in Bidor, Perak, and Gambang, Pahang, on May 18, as their families, friends and colleagues gathered to grieve over their loss.
Both were given a hero’s burial.
Malaysia’s Queen, Raja Zarith Sofiah, joined in the funeral prayers and was seen consoling family members of the victims.
Mr Saifuddin and Mr Razarudin also joined in the prayers.
Constables Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said and Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar were buried on May 18.
PHOTO: BERNAMA
Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi’s brother Fitri told Malay-language daily Sinar Harian that he had lost his “best friend”.
“When I heard the news, I was stunned. I never expected something like this could happen to my brother,” Mr Fitri, a police lance corporal, said.
He said the last time he saw his brother was during the recent Hari Raya celebration.
“After four years of not celebrating Aidilfitri together, we managed to get two weeks of leave and spent time together before we had to report back to our posts,” he said.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said he wants firm action to be taken against anyone attempting to create chaos in Malaysia to the extent of causing deaths.
“We do not compromise on matters of peace; the government will be firm. The lives of the people are our priority, and progress means nothing if peace is not maintained. Strong measures will be taken to stop this madness (violence), and I fully support the steps taken by the Royal Malaysia Police,” said Datuk Seri Anwar. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
