Home minister says police should take more time questioning a suspect’s family

JOHOR BAHRU: Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that police require further time to thoroughly examine the family members of the invader at Ulu Tiram police station.

According to him, the five suspect family members’ arrests under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) were significant since it is a serious offense to kill security force personnel, which also puts public safety at risk.

He noted that in the wake of the tragedy, Singapore has likewise increased security measures at its borders.

“Some of the laws that we employed in the beginning, like the Penal Code and the length of incarceration, do not resolve every issue (investigation).” 

In order to maintain public safety and order, the police force needs more time to complete the investigation because of the case’s complexity, he stated.

He made this statement to media following his visit to the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration, and Quarantine Complex today and his attendance at the special committee meeting to address traffic at the Johor Causeway.

He was questioned regarding the police’s rationale why holding the suspect’s relatives under Sosma.

Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, the Inspector General of Police, stated on Friday that the five people were detained under Sosma following the conclusion of their detention period on May 24.

Seven people were detained under Section 302 of the Penal Code to aid in the investigation.

Among them were the suspect’s five family members, who are between the ages of 19 and 62.

On Wednesday, though, two students from universities were released with no conditions.

Constables Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and Muhammad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24, were shot and killed on May 17 at 2.30 am, while the 21-year-old suspect was also killed.

Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, 38, a policeman who was shot in the hip and shoulder, was also hurt in the incident.