KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police are holding a Singaporean under a tough security law on suspicion of channelling funds to an Islamic militant group in the southern Philippines, officials said Monday.
"Abdul Majid Kunji Mohamad is suspected of funnelling funds and providing logistic (aid) to a militant organisation in southern Philippines," Ismail Omar, inspector general of police, said in a statement.
"Abdul Majid Kunji Mohamad was detained because his involvement will endanger Malaysia's security."
Ismail
said Abdul Majid, a businessman who lives in Kuala Lumpur, was arrested
May 6 in the capital and is being held under the controversial Internal
Security Act (ISA), which allows for indefinite detention without
trial.
Director of Operations in-charge of the special task force
on counter-terrorism, Mohamed Fuzi Harun, confirmed the arrest and said
the authorities are working closely with their counterparts in
Singapore and Manila to find out more about the businessman's network.
He added that the Singaporean runs a travel agency in Kuala Lumpur.
The
director also confirmed it has nothing to do with the Abu Sayyaf Group
but a group linked to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Malaysia
is assisting the Philippines to broker peace with the Moro Islamic
Liberation Front in an effort to end a bloody secessionist war in the
restive but mineral-rich region of Mindanao, in the southern
Philippines.
A long-running rebellion in the region has left more than 150,000 people dead.
-AFP/CNA/ac
MHA in touch with Malaysian authorities over arrest of S'porean
SINGAPORE : Singapore's Home Affairs Ministry has said it is in touch with Malaysian authorities over the arrest of a Singaporean suspected to have "militant ties".
A spokesperson said Singapore will seek the return of Abdul Majid Kunji Mohamad, once Malaysian authorities have completed investigations into his activities there.
On Monday, Malaysian
police said Abdul Majid, a businessman who lives in Kuala Lumpur, is
suspected of funnelling funds and providing logistical aid to a militant
organisation in southern Philippines.
It added that Abdul Majid was detained because it believes his involvement would endanger Malaysia's security.
Abdul
Majid was arrested on May 6 and is being held under the Internal
Security Act, which allows for indefinite detention without trial.
- CNA/ms