RM16 Million Reward On A Malaysian Terrorist Believed To Have Been Killed In 2012
Considered one of the most dangerous and elusive, Zulkifli Abd Hir is the most wanted terrorist by the FBI.
By Sadho Ram — 04 Jul 2014, 02:00 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
The Wikipedia page of Zulkifli Abd Hir lists an airstrike on 2 February 2012 as cause of his death. But recent developments suggests the Malaysian terrorist leader is still alive and remains one of the world's most wanted and elusive terrorists.
The FBI has put a RM16 million reward on his head and security agencies have stepped up their operations in the hunt for him
The United States’ Federal Bureau of Investigation has put a RM16mil price on his head and security agencies have stepped up their operations in the hunt for this dangerous fugitive, especially in view of events in Syria and Iraq.
thestar.com.myThey fear a resurgence of terror following the call by Abu Bakar Baghdadi – now regarded as the most dangerous terrorist in the world – to radical Muslims worldwide to rise and fight for the Islamic State, the new foundation of a Caliphate.
Regional security agencies said they were now re-looking at the movements of Zulkifli “in the light of events in the Middle East and its impact on South-East Asia.”
thestar.com.myBukit Aman Special Branch has confirmed that "Marwan (one of the several aliases used by Zulkifli) is still alive"
Bukit Aman Special Branch’s Counter Terrorism Division principal assistant director Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ayob Khan confirmed that Zulkifli, also known as Marwan, was still alive – despite reports that he had been killed in an airstrike on Feb 2, 2012.
“We are aware of reports that said he was killed a few years ago. That is not true. We believe he is hiding in southern Philippines,” he said yesterday. He added that his division was now tracking Marwan down and monitoring those close to him.
thestar.com.myAsked if Zulkifli might be involved in the local militant movement and in sending fighters to Syria and Iraq, SAC Ayob said police have not ruled out such a possibility.
It is learnt that Muar-born Zulkifli had a wife in Malaysia but married three other Philippine nationals when he went into hiding
The 48-year-old US trained engineer, who is a bomb making expert, has close links to the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group that is now active in the Philippines.
thestar.com.myA supplier of bombs for radical groups, and a trainer of their fighters, Zulkifli founded Kumpulan Mujahiddin Malaysia (KMM) to form regional Islamic state via violence
Intelligence sources said the KMM leader is regarded as a supplier of bombs for radical groups, and a trainer of their fighters. "That is why his arrest is vital in our war against terror. He is part of the Jemaah Islamiyah group that was responsible for the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 200 people," an analyst said.
The KMM is a part of the international terrorist organization, Jemaah Islamiyah or JI. The group behind the devastating 2002 Bali bombings.
Abd hir is suspected to be the supplier of bombs to various terrorist groups around the world. He is thought to be the most involved in the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. Zulkifli Abd hir was indicted for arrest on August 1, 2007 in the United States District Court, Northern District of California. He was thought to be hiding somewhere in the Philippines.
Zulkifli, like other KMM members, had travelled in the late 1980s to Afghanistan to join the resistance against the Russians
On returning to Malaysia, he hooked up with other Malaysian Afghan veterans to form KMM, which aimed to form a regional Islamic state via violence.
thestar.com.myKMM members have been linked to the murder of Lunas assemblyman Dr Joe Fernandez in 2002, the bombing of a church and a Hindu temple, and also the attack on the Guar Chempedak police station on Feb 4, 2001.
thestar.com.myHis brother, Rahmat Abdhir, a US citizen, is now in detention in Guantanamo, following his arrest in California for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.