Malaysia on alert after attack on Maute militants
‘President Rodrigo Duterte’s concern of the IS threat in the Philippines is one of the main reasons the assault on Maute was conducted,’ says Malaysia’s Defence Minister
By Farik Zolkepli
Security has been stepped up nationwide in Malaysia, especially along the coast of Sabah, following the attack by Philippines’ Military (ATF) on the Maute militant group in Mindanao, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
The Malaysian Defence Minister said Malaysia’s military had been instructed to be on alert as remnants of the militant group might seek refuge in other parts of the region, including Malaysia, following the attack on its hideout in Mindanao on Nov 27.
“We have to be alert to ensure that Maute militants do not make their way into Malaysia.
“Through intelligence sharing between Malaysia and the Philippines, we discovered that 19 militants were killed while 13 ATF personnel were injured during the operation,” he said during a joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the Umno General Assembly yesterday.
Hishammuddin said Maute, which pledged allegiance to the Islamic State (IS), managed to control Butig and Lanao Del Sur in Mindanao since Nov 24.
“The groups were also involved in the terror attack in Davao, which killed 15 people in September.