Malaysia’s Federal Police have arrested two politicians of the ruling coalition with seven other men for having links with the LTTE, a banned terrorist organisation in the country, Malaysia media reported.
The two politicians were assemblymen from Melaka and Negri Sembilan states.
The Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division of the Malaysia’s Federal Police made the arrests following a long running investigation. The charges on the men include supporting, promoting, recruiting, funding and being in possession of items related to the banned organisation, Malaysian media reported.
The arrests have been made during a series of operations in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Perak, Kedah and Melaka states. Among the suspects are an insurance agent, scrap metal dealer, a technician and a taxi driver. The Media also reported, that among those detained was a man who carried out an attack on the Sri Lankan High Commissioner at the Kuala Lumpur airport in 2016.
The Police said the two assembly men took part in the LTTE heroes day ceremony in November last year and delivered speeches in support of the banned organisation, dismissing allegations that the arrests were based on racial prejudices. According to media IGP Abdul Hamid Badorhad had reiterated yesterday the investigations were professionally conducted.
LTTE was based in Sri Lanka before it was militarily defeated by the Sri Lankan forces in 2009. The media revealed that Malaysia classified LTTE as a terrorist group since 2014, following reports of its attempts to regroup overseas.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson here said they were following the arrests and the developments closely.