Three arrested militants were planning an attack on ‘a beer festival’ among other locations

IGP Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun holding the spoils of the militant bust for the press | via PDRM Facebook
IGP Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun holding the spoils of the militant bust for the press | via PDRM Facebook

Malaysia’s Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun told The Star that three terror suspects picked up by cops in Kelantan last week had planned to target a beer festival with their attacks, as well as other locations, using improvised explosive devices (IED).

Fuzi added that they were “targeting various locations in the country, [as well as] the beer festival.”

After weeks of back and forth debate as to why the previously held Better Beer Festival had fallen foul of obtaining permits from both city and state officials, the IGP seemed eager to parade the suspects’ intent for a curious public.

The event, that was to be held at a Kuala Lumpur shopping mall, had a variety of explanations for its cancellation.

Initial reports pointed towards PAS, the conservative Islamic party, for the festival’s permit rejection. They had been vocal that the event would turn our fair city into an Asian “vice festival.”

Then a week later, KLites were shocked, shocked, to find out that ACTUALLY, the festival had been canceled because of a security threat from the Islamic State.

Our collective unease was palpable: If we can’t get a grip on a craft-beer festival, held inside an upmarket mall, is there any hope for the hundreds of other alcohol purveyors throughout the city? I mean, TGI Fridays have a liquor license, and those are everywhere.

Fuzi told reporters that the three would-be terrorists, including one who had military training and another who is still in high school, had made several devices capable of killing within a 10-meter radius, and injuring within 30 meters.

Had the suspects detonated the bombs at their intended targets, including the beer festival and non-Muslim houses of worship, there would have been many casualties, said the IGP. He added that Malaysian police will continue pursuing all domestic and foreign terror threats.

Does that mean now that the threat is gone, we can have a beer fest again? Just asking!

 

 

 

 



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on