A top anti-terror police officer of Malaysia has reportedly received a death threat through a phone call from the Islamic State (ISIS) militant, Muhamad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi, himself.
The threat was issued to Ayob Khan, the head of the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division, for his involvement in anti-terrorism cases and also for detaining Muhamad Wanndy's elder brother in May this year.
Last year, the 26-year-old Muhamad Wanndy was identified as one of the two Malaysians in an ISIS beheading video. He is believed to have gone to Syria with his wife.
SAC Ayob is believed to be on ISIS's target list along with other Malaysian leaders, including the General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, and army personnel.
SAC Ayob said that the ISIS militants had labeled the government organisations as thagut (those who have crossed religious boundaries) and referred to them as their main target.
"They are regarding us as supportive of thagut and want to attack us first followed by the non-Muslims in the country," he told AFP.
He said that the militants have included police officers, who are mainly involved in anti-terrorism cases, in their target list.
SAC Ayob said that he is not daunted by the death threat and will continue to do the same without any fear of any parties linked to terror groups. "We have managed to squash nine plots targeting certain institutions and public areas so far," he said.
For further investigation into suspected links with terror groups, 213 individuals, including 27 foreigners, have already been detained by the police. SOC Ayob said that Kedah and Perak topped the list, with 30 arrests from each of these places, followed by Kuala Lumpur (28), Johor (19), Selangor (17), Negri Sembilan (13), Kelantan (11), Pahang and Terengganu (eight each), Sabah and Malacca (six each), Penang and Perlis (four each) and Sarawak (two).
