Malaysian killed in Syria member of militant group, say police

The Malaysian who was reportedly killed in Syria recently was a Kumpulan Militan Malaysia (KMM) member who had previously been arrested for making firearms.

A senior police officer told The Malaysian Insider that Mat Soh had been arrested in 2001 for his involvement in the Southern Bank robbery in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya.

During the botched Southern Bank robbery in May 2001, two suspects were injured, one was killed and another managed to escape.

The escaped suspect was later captured and the three were charged under the Firearms Act 1960 which carried the mandatory death penalty.

"Mat Soh is believed to be one of the three charged and sentenced to jail for their involvement in the botched robbery," the police officer said.

It was reported by MyNewsHub that 52-year-old Mat Soh, also known as Abu Turab, allegedly died from shelling in war-torn Syria.

Photos and videos of Mat Soh's burial have reportedly been shared by hundreds of supporters on social media and blogs.

"According to the videos we have seen, it appears as if Mat Soh died in the clash between jihadist and Syrian forces," the police officer said.

"However, we are still awaiting further confirmation, including from Wisma Putra, before we can be sure that it is Mat Soh," the police officer added.

The police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two other Malaysians who had been reportedly injured in Syria were also former KMM members.

Utusan Malaysia today reported that Mohd Rafi Udin, 48, and Zainuri Kamarudin, 47, had been injured following clashes with forces of Syrian president Bashar Al-Assad.

"Zainuri had previously been arrested and charged under the Firearms Act 1960 after being caught making firearms for militant activities," the police officer said.

Mohd Rafi had been arrested under the Internal Security Act 1960 for involvement in activities which were detrimental to national security.

After being detained for about five years, he was released in October 2006 after the Internal Security Ministry was satisfied that he had been rehabilitated.

Since 2001, police carried out three phases of operations against KMM members which resulted in more than 70 people being detained under the ISA.

Last week, Special Branch principal assistant director Datuk Ayob Khan Pitchay Mydin told The Malaysian Insider that militants had targeted pubs and discotheques in Petaling Jaya.

Also targeted was the Carlsberg brewery in Shah Alam as militants arrested by police confessed to plans to set up an Islamic caliphate in Southeast Asia.
A total of 19 extremists had been picked up between January and June this year as police clamped down on Malaysians attempting to join up with their Islamic brethren in Syria.

The current activities of Islamic State of Iraq and Syria fighters has attracted Muslim support from all over the world, including Malaysia.