KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry is still waiting for the official confirmation of Mahmud Ahmad’s death from the Armed Forces’ Defence Staff Intelligence Division.
Mahmud was reportedly among the 13 rebels killed in a battle in Marawi, Philippines on Thursday.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said although the news was confirmed by the Philippine authorities, the ministry would wait for the report from the division.
“I have not received any confirmation from our intelligence division on the reports claiming that Mahmud was killed.
“Although it has been confirmed by the Philippine authorities yesterday, I would still wait for the report from the armed forces’ intelligence division,” he said in a press conference after attending the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) dialogue at Wisma Perwira, Jalan Padang Tembak on Friday.
Hishammuddin said no matter what intelligence obtained with regards to Mahmud’s status, it would not change any effort conducted by the armed forces to put a stop to terrorism.
“The police and the armed forces had done a very good job so far to curb terror activities from happening in the country.
“Looking back, our country had just celebrated the National Day, Malaysia Day and organised the Sea Games. No untoward incidents took place,” he said.
He said the Defence Ministry is consistent with supporting every effort conducted to restrain the influence of Islamic State from spreading in the region.
“We have just started a joint air patrol between Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia under the Trilateral Air Patrol (TAP) 2017 initiative. Prior to that, Trilateral Maritime Patrol was conducted, focusing on maritime surveillance.
“Other than that, we would present the terror issues and the battle in Marawi in the upcoming ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Manila next week,” he said.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday that Mahmud was the latest militant leader to have been killed in the nearly five-month battle in Marawi.
The Philippine military yesterday said there was a possibility that Mahmud was one of the 13 rebels killed in the battle. Deputy Commander of a military task force in Marawi, Coloner Romeo Browner said further investigations including scientific tests were required to verify that Mahmud was among those killed.
Translated from Berita Harian