Malaysian detained in the Philippines not a bomb expert: IGP

The Kelantanese man who was recently arrested by Philippine authorities in Maluso, Basilan while trying to slip into Malaysia, was not a bomb expert.

In clarifying this, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said information from intelligence and interviews with the suspect's family in Kelantan revealed that the man could have gone to the Philippines for religious studies.

However, Khalid said the police were still awaiting a full report on the man's arrest.

"Apparently he’s a man of religion but we're certain if he went there to preach Islam or to further his studies.

"We're still awaiting the full report from our counterparts there, but what’s certain is, he's not a bomb expert," Khalid said after officiating the 'Service Excellence Delivery In Action' graduation ceremony at the KL Police Contingent headquarters here.

READ: Philippine authorities have not confirmed bomb expert's nationality - IGP

Previously, the Philippine media had reported that a Malaysian citizen had been detained at the Port of Maluso while trying to slip his way into Malaysia earlier this month.

According to the reports, the Philippine authorities were investigating if the suspect had been given training by the Abu Sayyaf militant group as several bomb-making items were found on him.