“He has failed to carry out attacks in Malaysia as planned. This has infuriated its (IS) Syrian and Iraqi leaders,” an intelligence source told The Star.
Among the botched IS attacks in the country was the Movida nightclub bombing in Puchong last May.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had confirmed that it was the first IS attack on Malaysia, which he said was carried out by Malaysians directly instructed by Muhammad Wanndy from Syria.
Eight people were injured in that attack.
Last month, Khalid said Muhammad Wanndy was still working to expand IS influence in Malaysia.
According to the source, Muhammad Wanndy has “limited time” to try and convince his Syrian leaders of his ability to conduct terror attacks.
“He has been given until the end of the year, or risks having his stature as the IS’ Malaysian leader stripped,” said the source.
The source said that due to his predicament, Muhammad Wanndy will go all out to prove his mettle by staging bombings at targeted spots in Malaysia.
Muhammad Wanndy, who is from Durian Tunggal, Malacca, and his 26-year-old wife left for Syria in January 2016, and the former is believed to be based in Raqqa, IS’ de facto capital.
To fulfil his KPI as the top Malaysian IS operative, Muhammad Wanndy is said to have sought the help of Syrian IS leaders for hackers to penetrate Malaysia’s social media network.
“He has promised the IS leaders that he will be able to wreak havoc in Malaysia in several months’ time,” the source said, adding that Muhammad Wanndy wanted to expand his IS tentacles in the country through social media.
He will target individuals with a tendency to make racist remarks or criticise leaders in Facebook posts.
“He will attempt to befriend them online and when he gets a response, he will begin indoctrinating the individuals with IS propaganda,” the source said.
The source said Bukit Aman was on top of the matter.
“Malaysian police know that Muhammad Wanndy has set up over 100 WhatsApp groups whose members include students throughout the country.
“The WhatsApp groups are managed by Syrian hackers,” the source said, adding that Muhammad Wanndy has tried to lure more Malaysians to join him in Syria with the promise of monthly salaries.
“About 80% of those he has managed to influence were found to be addicts and introverts,” he said.
Muhammad Wanndy, according to the source, has another battle – preventing almost 57 Malaysian militants from leaving Syria.
“They have lost faith and have rejected cash offers from him to stay,” the source said. - the Star Online
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