Lone wolves, not terror groups: Experts downplay threat after police station attacks

SHAH ALAM - The recent attacks and attempted firearm seizures at Ulu Tiram Police Station in Johor Bahru and Dato' Keramat Police Station in Penang are not linked to any radical movements.

Criminologist Kamal Affandi Hashim said that these incidents do not exhibit the characteristics of organised crime, and there is no evidence indicating involvement by criminal groups, radicals, or extremists.

"Radical movements or criminal groups do not typically conduct open attacks on police stations to obtain firearms.

"These incidents were carried out by individuals, not organied groups," he told Sinar when contacted.

On May 19, it was reported that a man attempting to seize an HK MP5 submachine gun from a policeman at Dato' Keramat Police Station was arrested on Sunday morning.

The 35-year-old suspect also tried to attack the officer with a helmet, resulting in a scuffle.

On May 17, two officers from the Ulu Tiram Police Station were killed and another was seriously injured after being slashed and shot by a masked suspect armed with a machete.

Kamal Affandi noted that attacks on police stations are not unprecedented.

"There have been previous incidents at the district police headquarters in Kuala Muda, Kedah, and Subang Jaya police station, both resulting in officer fatalities.

"These cases were also committed by individuals, not groups," he said.

In a related matter, independent criminologist Shahul Hamid Abd Rahim urged authorities to enhance security at high-risk locations such as firearms storage facilities, airports, and public areas.

"However, Shahul Hamid did not rule out the possibility of organised crime being involved in the recent attacks.

"We must avoid a repeat of the 2000 incident when the Al-Maunah group invaded a Territorial Army Regiment camp and seized a large cache of firearms.

"Therefore, immediate improvements in security are necessary to prevent potential ambushes," he said.