JOHOR BAHRU, May 27 — Police need more time to thoroughly investigate the Ulu Tiram police station attacker's family members, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The arrest of the suspect's five family members under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) is relevant because killing members of the security forces is a serious offence, as is threatening the safety of the people.
He said Singapore has also tightened security controls at their country's entry points following the incident.
"…several acts that we used in the initial stage, such as the Penal Code (with its) duration of detention, do not settle all matters (investigation).
"Due to the magnitude of the case, the police force requires a longer time to finish the investigation to ensure public safety and order," Saifuddin said.
He was speaking to the press after attending the special committee meeting to tackle congestion at the Johor Causeway and visiting the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar (BSI) Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex today.
Saifuddin was asked about the police justification for detaining the suspect's family members under Sosma.
On Friday (May 24), Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said that the five individuals were held under Sosma after their remand period ended on May 24.
Seven individuals, including the suspect's five family members aged 19 and 62, were detained to assist in the investigation under Section 302 of the Penal Code. However, two students from higher learning institutions were released unconditionally on Wednesday (May 22).
On May 17 at 2.45am, Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24, were killed during the attack, and the 21-year-old perpetrator was shot dead.
The attack also injured another policeman, Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, 38, who was shot in the shoulder and hip.
— Bernama
