Malaysia Arrests Seven Suspected Involved with Abu Sayyaf Militant Group

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian authorities have detained seven men from the Philippines suspected of connections to the Abu Sayyaf militant group, highlighting increasing concerns in Southeast Asia about the potential rise of Islamist militant activities.

The Abu Sayyaf group, which has declared allegiance to the Islamic State, is infamous for its violent tactics, including bombings, kidnappings for ransom, and murder in the unstable southern regions of the Philippines.

According to Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun, the detained individuals were employed as security guards at private companies in Kuala Lumpur and the neighboring Selangor state. One of the suspects, a 22-year-old, has been identified as a member of Abu Sayyaf who participated in military confrontations and hostage-taking incidents in the southern Philippines.

An extremist faction of Abu Sayyaf was notably involved in the takeover of significant areas in Marawi city in May, which resulted in a protracted siege that claimed the lives of approximately 670 militants and 149 soldiers.

The detained men could not be reached for comment as they remain in custody, and it was unclear whether they have legal representation.

Malaysian police indicated that the arrests were made following intelligence received about a planned attack at the Southeast Asian Games closing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, which was thwarted by authorities last month.

The seven suspects entered Malaysia in September 2015 via Sandakan in Sabah, located on Borneo island off the southern coast of the Philippines, before arriving in Kuala Lumpur using forged documents, as stated by Mohamad Fuzi.

Since 2013, Malaysia has detained over 300 individuals suspected of having ties to the Islamic State. In the current year, authorities have arrested 41 foreigners categorized as foreign terrorist fighters.

Governments across Southeast Asia remain vigilant about the potential spread of Islamic State influence as the group faces setback in the Middle East.