The 2024 Ulu Tiram police station attack was an attack that occurred on 17 May 2024 on the Malaysian police station in Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia.[2] Two police officers were killed while one was left injured. The sole attacker identified as Radin Luqman Radin Imran was fatally shot thereafter.[1] Malaysian authorities initially identified the deceased suspect as a member of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) due to his father's connection with the terrorist group, although it was later reported that he had no involvement with JI and had acted alone.[3][4][5]
| 2024 Ulu Tiram police station attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of Militant Islamism in Southeast Asia and Terrorism in Malaysia | |
| Location | Ulu Tiram Police Station, Ulu Tiram, Johor, Malaysia |
| Coordinates | 1°36′02.9″N 103°49′14.8″E / 1.600806°N 103.820778°E |
| Date | 17 May 2024 02:30 a.m. (UTC 8:00) |
| Target | Royal Malaysia Police |
Attack type | Stabbing attack, shooting |
| Weapons | Parang, Walther P99 pistol and HK MP5 rifle |
| Deaths | 3 (including the perpetrator)[1] |
| Injured | 1 |
| Perpetrator |  Jemaah Islamiyah (alleged) |
| Assailant | Radin Luqman Radin Imran |
No. of participants | 1 |
| Motive | Seizing firearms to commit other attacks (suspected), Islamic extremism |
| Accused | 7 people arrested in connection |
Timeline
editOn 17 May 2024, at 2:30 am, two college students entered the Ulu Tiram police station to file a report regarding an alleged molestation incident that occurred two years ago. Five minutes later, a suspect arrived at the station on a motorcycle and proceeded to the back of the station. As Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi went to investigate the suspect, he was fatally stabbed and had his firearm taken by the suspect. Two other policemen then rushed to the back of the station to engage the suspect. A shootout ensued in which Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad was fatally shot while the other was injured. The suspect was also fatally shot by a third policeman at the scene.[6][7]
Both college students were apprehended for questioning in relation to their connection to the attack. At 6 am, police stormed the suspect's family home in Ulu Tiram, resulting in the arrest of five people suspected to also be members of JI.[8]
On 19 June 2024, the suspect's five family members, including his parents and three siblings, were officially charged in court for alleged terrorism-related offences.[9] Local authorities identified the suspect's mother as a Singaporean citizen, while the rest of the suspect's family members were Malaysians.[10][11]
Related events
editThe attack was followed by several further incidents, including a death threat to a Democratic Action Party (DAP) member of parliament (MP), and two individuals trying to trespass into the Istana Negara.[5] Another individual was arrested after trying to snatch a police sub-machine gun at the Dato Keramat police station in Penang.[12][13]
Reactions
editDomestic
editThe Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, offered condolences to the families of the killed police officers.[14]
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that firm action should be taken against those who attempt to create chaos in Malaysia to the extent of causing deaths. Anwar said he supports all efforts made by the police and asked the public to give their full cooperation to the authorities.[15][16]
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reminded the police to redoubling their efforts and not taking any terrorist threat lightly following disclosure by the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) that terrorist groups are using online video games to recruit youth to join their movement.[17]
The Malaysian Islamic Party questioned the security preparedness of the country's civil forces and also requested the Home Ministry to answer on why the police failed to stop the attack from happening.[7]
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail affirmed that the attack was carried out by a lone suspect and that they had former terrorist or militant group members under constant monitoring. Due to the attack, the previous procedure of keeping the police stations' main gates opened around the clock had been modified to have the gates shut at 10.00 p.m. each night.[18]
International
edit
Indonesia: Following the attack, the Indonesian National Police counter-terrorist unit Detachment 88 imposed tighter monitoring and surveillance of terrorist networks and their activities nationwide.[19]
Singapore: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack and extended sympathies and condolences to the families of the killed and injured officers. The ministry also advised Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia to take necessary precautions.[20] Authorities also stepped up security measures at the Causeway and Second Link border checkpoints, which resulted in a longer than usual time required to cross the borders.[21]
United States: US ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan expressed his condolences to the families of the two policemen killed in the incident,[22] stating US willingness to assist the Malaysian authorities in combating terrorism. He added the tragedy serves as a reminder that both US and Malaysia share common interests against terrorism and cannot afford to relax their vigilance.[23]
Jemaah Islamiyah
editAbu Bakar Ba'asyir, the co-founder of the militant group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), condemned the incident and insisted he personally was not involved in the attack through a video sent by his son to Malaysiakini. He further expressed that whoever accuses or trying to implicate him with the attack are lying and asking them to prove it in front of Allah and advising Muslim youths to not follow hardline ways by easily labelling others as infidels without any reasons based on the Quran. He stated that Islam should be defended only through dawah and prayers, not by killings or bombings.[24]
Subsequently, the whole JI terror group was disbanded by its leaders a month after the attack.[25]
See also
edit
- Bukit Kepong incident — Similar incident in 1950 during the Malayan Emergency, where communist guerillas of the Malayan People's Liberation Army (MPLA) attacked the area surrounding the Bukit Kepong Police Station.
- List of terrorist incidents in 2024
References
edit- ^ a b "Transcript of Media Doorstop by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, on Terrorism-Related Developments in Malaysia". Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore (Press release). 28 June 2024. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
The attacker was Radin Luqman. His father and brother are reported to be ISIS supporters.
- ^ "Malaysia arrests 7 people after attack on Johor police post by Jemaah Islamiyah suspect kills 2 cops". CNA. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Ulu Tiram police station attack: Suspect believed to be Jemaah Islamiah member, says IGP". The Star. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "IGP: Suspect in Ulu Tiram police station attack not linked to any terrorist groups". Malay Mail. 18 May 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Johor police station attacker's family held under Sosma". FMT. 24 May 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024 – via Daily Express.
Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said in a statement "Our suspicions that Radin father is a Jemaah Islamiyah member is confirmed. That is already in our data and records. The family isolated themselves from others, with the children (including the deceased attacker) not enrolled in any school. They are rooted in radical beliefs and ideologies".
- ^ "Chronology of the attack at Ulu Tiram police station [NSTTV]". New Straits Times. 17 May 2024. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ a b Jun, Soo Wern (17 May 2024). "PAS wants Home Ministry to explain why cops failed to thwart attack on Ulu Tiram police station". Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ "TERKINI: Kronologi serangan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram, dua pelajar IPT turut ditahan" [LATEST: Chronology of the attack at the Ulu Tiram Police Station, two IPT students were also arrested]. Berita Harian (in Malay). Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "5 family members of Malaysian man who attacked police station face terrorism charges". Associated Press. 19 June 2024. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024 – via KRDO.
- ^ "Ulu Tiram attack: Slain suspect's family members face nine charges including supporting terrorism". The Straits Times. 19 June 2024.
- ^ "Ulu Tiram attack: Family members of alleged cop-killer charged in court, including for inciting terrorism". CNA. 19 June 2024.
- ^ Mok, Opalyn (19 May 2024). "Man arrested for trying to grab cop's submachine gun at Penang police station". Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Mahmud, Aqil Haziq (20 May 2024). "Heightened security as man tries to snatch Penang police officer's gun, days after fatal Ulu Tiram attack". CNA. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ "Serangan Balai Polis Ulu Tiram: Agong zahir ucapan takziah kepada keluarga anggota terkorban" [Ulu Tiram Police Station Attack: Agong expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen members]. Sinar Harian (in Malay). 17 May 2024. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Ulu Tiram police station attack: Govt won't stand by if anyone threatens the peace, says PM Anwar". Malay Mail. 17 May 2024. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Anwar calls for firm action following Ulu Tiram police station attack". The Star. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Zahid warns police against taking terrorist threat lightly, wants monitoring and surveillance efforts doubled". Bernama. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024 – via The Edge (Malaysia).
- ^ Shadiqe, Jassmine (18 May 2024). "No necessity to probe militant networks abroad over Ulu Tiram police station attack – Saifuddin". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ^ Bramantyo, Haryoto (22 May 2024). "Teroris Serang Kantor Polisi Malaysia, Densus 88 Polri Pastikan di Indonesia Aman" [Terrorists Attack Malaysia Police Station, Densus 88 Polri Ensures Indonesia Safety]. Suara Merdeka Pekalongan (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024.
- ^ "Attack at the Ulu Tiram Police Station in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on 17 May 2024". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore (Press release). 17 May 2024. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "'Haven't even smelled JB customs after 2 hours': Travellers stuck in up to 3-hour queues at checkpoint after enhanced security". AsiaOne. 20 May 2024. Archived from the original on 20 May 2024. Retrieved 20 May 2024.
- ^ Ambassador Edgard D. Kagan [@USAmbKL] (17 May 2024). "I am deeply saddened by the loss of the two police officers at the Ulu Tiram police station. My condolences to their families, loved ones, and all members of the Royal Malaysia Police. @PDRMsia" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "US ready to assist Malaysia in combating terrorism". Bernama. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 27 May 2024 – via The Star.
- ^ "JI co-founder Abu Bakar Bashir insists he's not involved in Ulu Tiram police station attack". New Straits Times. 22 May 2024. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Llewellyn, Aisyah (28 May 2024). "Jemaah Islamiyah Is Not Back After Malaysia Attack". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 25 November 2024. Retrieved 25 November 2024.