https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/johor-police-station-attack-two-cops-and-assailant-dead
OHOR BAHRU – Two police officers were killed and another was injured in Malaysia’s Johor state on May 17 when they were attacked by a man suspected of being a member of the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), officials said.
Johor police chief M. Kumar said the suspect, who has not been identified, was shot dead at the scene.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said seven people, including five members of the suspect’s family, were arrested.
OHOR BAHRU – Two police officers were killed and another was injured in Malaysia’s Johor state on May 17 when they were attacked by a man suspected of being a member of the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), officials said.
Johor police chief M. Kumar said the suspect, who has not been identified, was shot dead at the scene.
Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said seven people, including five members of the suspect’s family, were arrested.
“I have instructed our Special Branch to arrest all JI members in Johor to be investigated,” he added, noting that there are about 20 identified members in Johor.
JI seeks to establish an Islamic caliphate in South-east Asia.
Mr Razarudin said the incident began when two students, a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, came to the Ulu Tiram police station at 2.30am on May 17.
“The duo came to seek advice from the police regarding a sexual assault case that happened two years ago,” he told local media.
A 21-year-old man on a motorbike then turned up and went to the back of the police station. A policeman, who checked on him, was slashed in the neck.
“The suspect then took the victim’s gun. At the same time, another two mobile patrol vehicle (MPV) policemen, who had just finished their patrol, returned to the police station.
“One of our men was shot in his cheek and the bullet went through his head, while another was shot in the shoulder and waist,” Mr Razarudin said.
Police investigations revealed that the suspect, who has no criminal record, made preparations to confront the police – based on items found in his bag which he used as a shield. There were zinc sheets and paper inside.
“Investigations at the suspect’s house also found texts pasted on the walls,” Mr Razarudin said, adding that his family members are aged between 19 and 62.
He added that the two students - who suspiciously turned up in the wee hours to report a case that happened two years ago - were also arrested.
Mr Razarudin said the attacker’s likely motive was to steal weapons from the police station for an unknown agenda.
The police are also checking if the suspect was of unsound mind.
The two policemen killed in the attack - Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 21, and Constable Muhamad Shafiq Ahmad Said, 22 - had served with the force for less than two years. The injured policeman is in stable condition, said Mr Razarudin.
Speaking to reporters at his home, Mr Muhammad Syafiq’s father said the late constable had always wanted to be a policeman.
“He quit his studies in forensics at a college just to join the police force and serve the country,” said the 65-year-old army pensioner.
