Ex-ISA detainee arrested for 'promoting terrorism'

A former detainee under the now defunct Internal Security Act (ISA), Yazid Sufaat, has been detained for suspected involvement in terrorist activities.

A statement by Human Rights NGO Suaram said that Yazid, 49, was detained under the new Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (SOSMA) by the police this morning.

However, a Bernama report quoting the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said Yazid, together with a local man and woman was arrested under a section of the Penal Code.

“All three are being detained in Kajang,” Ismail said. “They are suspected to be the masterminds who were recruiting Malaysians for terrorist activities.”

Asked for more details on the arrests, Bukit Aman Special Task Force (Operations and Counter Terrorism) director, Datuk Muhamad Fuzi Harun confirmed the arrest of the trio but declined to divulge further details.

"I cannot tell you why they have been arrested, and I cannot tell you why I cannot tell you," he said when contacted by Astro Awani.

According to the Suaram satement, Yazid (pic) was arrested together with his worker Mohd Hilmi Hasim by a police team from Bukit Aman at the canteen of Jalan Duta court complex around 12.30pm.

“According to the investigating officer, Yazid was with his worker was arrested under Section 4 (1) of the Act for promoting terrorism,” said the statement.

Yazid, who has a stall in the court complex, was detained under the ISA in December 2001 and released in 2008. He was accused of being involved with al-Qaeda, and being a senior member of Jemaah Islamiyah.

In an interview with Malaysiakini last year, Yazid had revealed that he still harboured militant beliefs and was still in touch with former associates in several terrorist networks

The statement from Suaram also stated that Yazid was later taken to his home in Taman Bukit Ampang where the police conducted a search.

According to Yazid’s lawyer, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri, police had notified that both will be arrested for two days under Section 5(2) of the same Act.

The SOSMA passed in Parliament in July, is the replacement for the ISA.