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ISIS Launches Malay-Language Propaganda Newspaper In Southeast Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 — Terror group Islamic State (IS) is trying to increase its reach in South-east Asia by launching a Malay-language publication for its supporters in the region, according to a Berita Harian (BH) report.

The Malay daily reported today that the publication called Al Fatihin was launched in southern Philippines on June 20, and is being distributed in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, southern Thailand, as well as southern Philippines itself.

An unnamed security expert was quoted saying that the act can be seen as an “unofficial warning” that the Malay archipelago is in IS’s sights.

“This psychological campaign means that the terrorists have a big objective, which is to expand their influence among people who understand the Malay language,” said the source.

“Based on the way the language is used, we believe the writer or editor of the paper may be from this country,” the source added.

Al Fatihin means “The Conqueror” in Arabic.

A paper by the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore last month gave some details on the newspaper’s first issue’s contents.

The 20-page edition focussed on the month of Ramadan and the act of jihad or “holy struggle”, with a three-page message from Egyptian ideologue Abu Hamzah al-Muhajir, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Masri, calling on IS fighters to “continue their jihadist activities, search for martyrdom and kill and crucify the polytheists, disbelievers, oppressors and transgressors”.

It also featured Syrian martyr Abu Bilal al-Himshi, and various news excerpts from Raqqa in Syria to the Philippines, information and statistics on military operations, a map of IS provinces across the glove, and alms collection and distribution statistics in Syria.

According to BH, its editor also invited all militant groups in Indonesia and the Philippines to unite and pledge allegiance to IS leader and self-styled caliph Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.

Bukit Aman’s Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division senior assistant director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay refused comment on the matter to the daily, claiming the matter was still being investigated.

However he told the daily that IS is believed to be expanding its media arms, in the fields of information technology, audio visual, processing and publishing to maintain its global communications.

“It is proven through the production of their official IS applications including an official ‘live broadcast’ radio from the official IS media centre in Iraq that is broadcasted all over the world,” said Ayub.

Regional security expert Bilveer Singh, an adjunct senior fellow at Centre of Excellence for National Security at RSIS recently warned of possible increase in IS activities in the region as the terrorist organisation has begun losing its hold on territories in Iraq and Syria.

There had been a recent increase of attacks linked to IS globally, including bombings at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, the slaying of hostages in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and in South-east Asia, a suicide bombing in Solo, Indonesia, as well as the grenade attack which injured eight people at a bar in Puchong — reportedly the first in Malaysia linked to the IS.

Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

July 12, 2016
Murder At Geylang: Why Was Body Left In Open For So Long?

A 52-year-old coffeeshop helper, known as Niu-ge, was found dead after a fight at Lorong 23 Geylang yesterday at 8am.

Five hours later, his bloodied corpse, which had visible injuries to the face, was lying on the road and his head was resting on the kerb.

Witnesses say the body was initially covered with a white cloth and a blue tent.

But when The New Paper on Sunday (TNPS) arrived at the scene at 10.30am, the cloth had been removed.

In the suffocating heat, the body could be seen by anyone standing behind the police cordon, which was placed about 20m away.

Despite the gruesome sight, passers-by gawked. Many were snapping away with their mobile phones.

Scores of pictures were later uploaded on social media sites like Facebook.

OUTRAGE

This prolonged and open display, however, prompted outrage from Mr Niu-ge’s relative, a woman in her early 20s who arrived at 12.30pm.

“Why do you leave his body in the open, to be exposed to the sun?” Chinese daily Lianhe Wanbao reported her as calling out to no one in particular.

Mr Niu-ge’s body was eventually removed at about 1.30pm.

There was a deep cut running from near his left ear to the top of his head.

The scene of the crime, next to a crowded coffee shop, was spattered with blood.

Mr Niu-ge’s final moments were witnessed by a cabby, who wanted to be known only as Mr Zhang, 64.

He told TNPS: “He was wearing red, and there was so much blood that I couldn’t tell if it was his clothes or the blood.

“He was also breathing very heavily. I couldn’t bear to look for too long, and I wouldn’t want to see it again.”

An expert familiar with crime scenes, who declined to be named, said it is rare for a corpse to be left uncovered for such a long time.

He said: “But the police have to conduct their investigation, no matter what.

“It is just unfortunate that the body was found on such a busy road, (and resulted in) so many people taking photos of the body (from behind) the police cordon.”

TNPS understands that Mr Niu-ge’s body was not covered so that the police forensics team could conduct their investigation.

Police officers were seen taking photos of the scene and the body.

Investigators also found several weapons, including a long wooden stick and a short knife, at the scene.

A visibly shocked coffeeshop assistant at Victoria Food Court in Lorong 23 witnessed the confrontation between the two men just before Mr Niu-ge collapsed.

The middle-aged woman, who declined to be named, said the attack happened a few metres outside the coffee shop at 8am.

She told TNPS in Mandarin: “I think there were two rounds of fighting because Niu-ge already had injuries at the back of his head when he was at the coffee shop.

“I only saw the second attack from behind and the attacker ran away in the direction of Lorong 21.”

She recognised the attacker, whom she said was a regular at the coffee shop who would order hot tea every morning.

She said: “He has messy hair and was a little crazy, always talking to himself. I tried to avoid him as much as possible.”

Mr Tan Zhi Jia, 32, an assistant at another coffee shop in Lorong 23, told TNPS there was closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage of the victim at his coffee shop at about 7.45am.

He said: “He went to the kitchen to wash his hands, which had blood on them. He told my colleagues that he had fallen down.”

Workers at the coffee shops along Lorong 23 had contrasting impressions of the victim.

Ms Audrey Liang, 37, who sells tissue paper, said she heard he had a debt problem.

She said: “He was always alone and kept to himself. I heard that he was hot-tempered too.”

However, Mr Tan said Mr Niu-ge was chatty and friendly.

The Chinese national, who has been here for six years, said: “We would talk about Singapore, and he would tell me about his job.”

A police spokesman said they received a call asking for assistance at about 8am.

A man was found lying motionless on the ground. About 10 minutes later, he was pronounced dead.

Police are investigating the unnatural death.

Anyone with information should call the police hotline at 1800-255-000 or submit the information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness

All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Source: The New Paper

July 11, 2016
Mohd Khair: Masyarakat Islam Harus Banteras Usaha Melemahkan Masyarakat

Apakah kita harus berasa malu yang teramat sangat setiap kali ada jenayah yang dilapurkan sebagai dilakukan oleh orang Melayu atau orang Islam?

Apakah Nabi Muhammad saw berasa teramat malu apabila pakciknya sendiri dan kaum kerabat yang lain tidak memeluk agama Islam, malah ada yang menentangnya dengan begitu keras sekali?

Apakah Nabi Nuh as berasa teramat malu apabila kaum keluarganya sendiri tidak mahu beriman kepada ALlah swt?

Apakah Nabi Lut as berasa teramat malu apabila isterinya sendiri yang mengkhianati dakwahnya?

Apakah penganut Buddha berasa teramat malu apabila para Sami di Myanmar membakar madrasah dan masjid serta membunuh ramai orang Islam di sana?

Apakah penganut Kristian berasa malu apabila pemerintah mereka membunuh ribuan ummat Islam saban tahun di merata tempat di bumi Ambiyaa?

Pokoknya, kita tidak seharusnya berasa teramat malu dengan tindakan orang-orang yang melakukan kekejaman atas nama Islam. Sesiapapun boleh melakukan onar dengan menggunakan nama Islam kerana memang mahu mencemarkan nama Islam.

Kita harus lebih bijak untuk tangani lemparan-lemparan najis yang datang dari pelbagai arah dan rupa bentuk terhadap Islam dan Ummahnya.

Tiada apa yang kita harus terasa malu sekiranya kita yakin bahwa agama Islam adalah agama yang sempurna dengan nilai-nilai yang membangun lagi membawa kedamaian untuk setiap insan, tidak kira warna kulit mahupun kepercayaan.

Apa yang seharusnya kita lakukan adalah untuk bangkit dengan lantang menolak segala tindakan dan tohmahan itu sebagai ANTI-ISLAM dan ANTI-MUSLIM.

Dengan tegas kita juga harus katakan yang tindakan dan tohmahan itu adalah najis-najis orang lain yang sengaja dilemparkan kepada dunia demi merosakkan, merapuhkan, melemahkan, menjatuhkan dan membinasakan Islam dari luar dan dalam.

Seharusnya kita usah berasa teramat malu tetapi sebaliknya berdiri dengan tegas untuk menolak segala tindakan dan tohmahan itu sebagai ANTI-ISLAM dan ANTI-MUSLIM, serta melihat itu semua sebagai strategi pihak-pihak tertentu untuk melemahkan kita sebagai Ummah Nabi Muhammad saw.

Bahkan kita seharusnya terus menyebarkan dakwah dengan kemurnian dan kesucian Islam kepada seisi alam.

Buang jauh-jauh sikap apologetik yang menjadikan kita lebih lemah kerana berasa malu yang tidak bertempat.

(Nota: Kita dapat lihat sendiri betapa semakin banyak tohmahan yang dilemparkan kepada Islam dan Muslim, semakin berbondong-bondong orang masuk Islam, alhamdulillah. Itulah sebabnya juga kuta tidak seharusnya berasa bersalah atau malu dengan tindakan orang lain yang bertujuan mencemarkan nama Islam dan Muslim.)

Source: Mohd Khair

July 8, 2016
Malaysia IGP: After India & Bangladesh, IGP Will Review Zakir Naik’s Sermons

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s police chief announced today he will review all of Dr Zakir Naik’s sermons made in India and Bangladesh after the two South Asian countries launched investigations into the controversial Islamist preacher said to have inspired an attack on a Dhaka cafe last week.

“I will comment when I have seen what he actually said in India/Bangladesh,” Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar told Malay Mail Online in a text message this evening when contacted.

He indicated that he will then consider the appropriate action to take if he finds that Dr Zakir’s speeches contain elements that could be seen as promoting terrorism.

India’s National Investigation Agency is reportedly preparing to question the Mumbai-based preacher following claims he had inspired five gunmen to attack the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka that killed 22 people, including the attackers.

Bangladeshi Information Minister Hassanul Haq Inu also reportedly said his country’s legal experts were looking into Dr Zakir’s speeches.

Rohan Imtiaz and Nibras Islam were two of the five Dhaka gunmen who were reportedly inspired by Dr Zakir, with Rohan allegedly posting on Facebook a quote he attributed to the preacher that “every Muslim should be a terrorist”.

The head of the Hyderabad chapter of global terror group Islamic State, Mohammad Ibrahim Yazdani, has attributed Dr Zakir’s teachings as the basis for his venture into militancy.

Dr Zakir reputedly has 14 million followers on Facebook and 200 million viewers of his Peace TV channel.

He was welcomed by the Malaysian government in April this year and held a week-long series of sermons and has been praised as a “very wise man”, received tributes from the government including the prestigious “Tokoh Maal Hijrah” award in 2013 and was reportedly gifted three islands in Lake Kenyir from the Terengganu government.

In the wake of the global controversy, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed has now advised Malaysians not to blindly accept the teachings of preachers whom he said may just want popularity.

Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

July 8, 2016
Saudi Arabia Identifies Bombers In Two Attacks This Week

Saudi Arabia identified on Thursday suspects in two of the three attacks that struck the kingdom on the same day this week, including one outside the sprawling mosque where the Prophet Muhammad is buried in the western city of Medina that killed four Saudi security troops.

In a statement released by the Interior Ministry late Thursday, authorities said the Medina bomber in Monday’s apparently coordinated attacks was 26-year-old Saudi national Na’ir al-Nujiaidi al-Balawi.

Three suicide bombers behind a botched attack, also Monday, outside a Shiite mosque in the eastern region of Qatif in which no civilians or police were wounded, were identified as Abdulrahman Saleh Mohammed, Ibrahim Saleh Mohammed and Abdelkarim al-Hesni, all in their early 20s.

It was not immediately clear what nationality or nationalities the three carried.

The ministry said investigations following the attacks led to the arrests of 19 suspects, seven Saudi and 12 Pakistani nationals. No other details were immediately available.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia identified the suicide bomber who struck outside the U.S. Consulate in Jiddah as a Pakistani resident of the kingdom who had arrived 12 years ago to work as a driver. It named him as 34-year-old Abdullah Qalzar Khan. It said he lived in the port city with “his wife and her parents.” The statement did not elaborate.

In that attack, the bomber detonated his explosives after two security guards approached him, killing himself and lightly wounding the guards, the ministry said. No consular staff were hurt.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks but their nature and their apparently coordinated timing suggested the Islamic State group could be to blame.

Pakistan has condemned Monday’s attacks in the kingdom. There are around 9 million foreigners living in Saudi Arabia, which has a total population of 30 million. Among all foreigners living in the kingdom, Pakistanis represent one of the largest groups.

The Saudi ministry said the attacker in the Medina assault set off the bomb in a parking lot after security officers became suspicious about him. Several cars caught fire and thick plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the site of the explosion as thousands crowded the streets around the mosque.

Worshippers expressed shock that such a prominent holy site could be targeted.

The Prophet Muhammad’s mosque was packed on Monday evening, during the final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ended on Tuesday. Local media say the attacker was intending to strike the mosque when it was crowded with thousands gathered for the sunset prayer.

Saudi Arabia is part of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, and the militant group views its ruling monarchy as an enemy.

The kingdom has been the target of multiple attacks by the group that have killed dozens of people. In June, the Interior Ministry reported 26 terror attacks in the last two years.

Source: abcnews.go.com

July 8, 2016