'JI has been crippled in Malaysia'<\/p>\n
Sean Yoong, Associated Press, Kuala Lumpur<\/p>\n
Authorities have crippled the operations in Malaysia of the al-
\nQaeda-linked terrorist group Jamaah Islamiyah (JI), but militants
\nfrom neighboring areas could still threaten the country, senior
\npolice said on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"Generally, we have managed to destroy the (JI) networking,\"
\nsaid Yusof Abdul Rahman, commissioner of police for Malaysia's
\nspecial branch division.<\/p>\n
Yusof said Malaysia would continue cooperating with
\nneighboring countries to combat the extremist network, which is
\nblamed for a string of terror attacks across Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
More than 100 suspected militants, including dozens of alleged
\nJamaah Islamiyah members, have been arrested in Malaysia in the
\nlast two years, Yusof said. Most are being held without trial
\nunder a tough security law.<\/p>\n
JI, which officials say wants to set up an Islamic state
\nacross Southeast Asia, has been accused of masterminding the Bali
\nbombings that killed 202 people in October 2002 and the Aug. 5
\nattack on the J.W. Mariott Hotel in Jakarta that killed 12
\npeople.<\/p>\n
Two Malaysians are among Southeast Asia's most wanted
\nterrorist fugitives -- explosive experts Azahari bin Husin and
\nNoordin Mohammed Top, who are accused of taking part in both the
\nBali and Marriott attacks. They are believed to be on the run
\nsomewhere in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Yusof was speaking to reporters after a tribute ceremony for
\noutgoing national police chief Norian Mai, who retired on Tuesday
\nafter spearheading the crackdown on terror suspects since mid-
\n2001.<\/p>\n
Norian said he believed \"terrorism-related challenges\" would
\npersist in Malaysia and elsewhere for at least the next year or
\ntwo, but the threat to this country would come mainly from
\nneighboring countries.<\/p>\n
Norian's successor and former deputy, Bakri Omar, refused to
\ncomment at a news conference on Tuesday on topics related to
\nterrorism.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Tuesday, new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
\nchaired his first meeting of Malaysia's National Security Council
\nand suggested several areas where performance could be improved,
\nan official said.<\/p>\n
Abdullah was briefed on a wide range of issues by senior
\ndefense, police and other officials during the four-hour meeting,
\nsaid Jaafar Ismail, the council's secretary.<\/p>\n
\"Several points were raised by him and we have taken note and
\nwill deal with them,\" Jaafar was quoted as saying by the national
\nnews agency, Bernama.<\/p>\n
Abdullah retained the portfolio of home minister, who is
\nresponsible for domestic security, when he succeeded former prime
\nminister Mahathir Mohamad last Friday, ending the veteran
\nleader's 22-years reign.<\/p>",
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