The 19-year-old suspect detained for planning to attack the Better Beer Festival and other targets in the Klang Valley has bomb-making expertise which rivals that of a now deceased infamous Malaysian militant.

A source said the skill and determination of the teenager, who was arrested in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, with two others, reminded security forces of Jemaah Islamiyah militant Dr Azahari Hussein who masterminded the Bali bombing in 2002.

“The authorities believe the teen learnedhow to make Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from the Internet.

“But his attention to detail in constructing the bombs, down to the wiring and materials used, reminded them of Dr Azahari,” the source said.

While the suspect had been plotting with two others reportedly in league with the Islamic State (IS) terror group, it is believed that the Form Six student was self-radicalised.

“Checks by the authorities revealed that he was not in contact with any known militant. However, he might have been influenced by the extremist doctrine practised by IS which sees Malaysia as a secular nation, and must be combated,” another source said.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun (pic) said several IEDs, each with a blast radius of 30m, were seized following the arrests of the three men.

The IGP said the two other suspects were a 35-year-old ex-soldier and a 25-year-old contract worker – both with ties to Malaysian militants Akel Zainal and Muhammad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi – who was killed in Syria in April.

“The suspects detonated one of the bombs on Sept 28, in a clearing behind one suspect’s home but failed with another IED.

“We seized three other IEDs that were already assembled – each is 5.5cm in diameter, 13cm long and contained explosives and ball bearings,” he said.

Mohamad Fuzi said the contract worker also has links to the “Gagak Hitam” terror cell responsible for bombing the Movida nightclub in Puchong, near here, in June last year.

He said the suspects were targeting entertainment outlets and non-Muslim places of worship in the Klang Valley, aside from the beer festival.

The Better Beer Festival, scheduled for Oct 6 and 7 at a shopping centre, was cancelled last month after Kuala Lumpur City Hall rejected the application to hold the event.

Mohamad Fuzi said police are investigating the possibility of more terror cell members at large. He attributed the success in stopping the attacks to hard work by the “unsung heroes in the Counter Terrorism Division led by Deputy Comm Datuk Ayob Khan”.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by Farik Zolkepli and Jastin Ahmad Tarmizi

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