18-5-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) In the early hours of May 17, a man fatally shot two police officers and injured another at the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor. The suspect, whose identity remains undisclosed, resided with his family in an isolated settlement believed to house around 18 families, according to Malaysian media reports.

Local journalists discovered that the suspect’s home was located within a gated community marked by a sign warning trespassers to keep out of “private property.” This secluded enclave is approximately 7 kilometres from the police station where the deadly attack occurred at about 2:45 am.

The settlement, known as Kampung Sungai Tiram, consists of roughly 10 houses and is situated near the Luqmanul Hakiem Islamic School. This school was previously identified as a key site for the Al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in South-east Asia, serving as a training ground for the militant group.

Fauzi Faizal, a 39-year-old local resident, revealed that the suspect, who had four siblings, was likely homeschooled by his father, a known JI member. “I believe the siblings did not receive formal education and were taught by their father, possibly with extremist teachings,” said Fauzi, who also serves as a Johor Bahru City Council member for Tiram. He noted that the settlement, established about 20 years ago, is under constant surveillance by authorities.

“Residents are indeed worried with the suspect living here, but we trust the police to ensure this incident does not happen again,” Fauzi added.

Shazrul Idham Aziz, the head of the nearby village Kampung Ulu Tiram, expressed residents’ concerns following the attack. “This incident is particularly worrying for the residents, but I believe the police will take action and investigate to maintain the peace and harmony of the village,” Shazrul told local reporters.

The suspect was eventually shot dead by another policeman during the incident. In the aftermath, local police apprehended five of the suspect’s family members at their residence. During the raid, officers found texts on the walls that were linked to the JI group.

The investigation into the motive behind the attack is ongoing. In response to the incident, Malaysia’s Inspector-General of Police announced heightened security measures at vulnerable locations in Johor, including police stations and the palace.

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