Malaysia Releases 911 Suspect

Kuala Lumpur, 10 Dec. (AKI) - The Malaysian government has released five terror suspects, including Yazid Sufaat, who was accused of aiding terrorists during the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States. Interior Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Sufaat, allegedly linked to the Jemaah Islamiyah militant group, was released from the Kamunting detention centre in the northern Malaysian state of Perak. "He was considered a threat to public security in Malaysia because he was part of Jemaah Islamiyah, trying to establish an Islamic government within the region," said Albar. "Yazid Sufaat and four others were released on 4 December". However, Malaysian Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said Sufaat was released with another Malaysian on 24 November. "We released him as he had shown remorse and repentance after almost seven years of rehabilitation," said Hassan quoted by Malaysian English language daily The Star. "He was released on several conditions. He has to report to the police regularly and cannot leave Selangor without police permission. Our officers will also be monitoring him as well as several others who have been released over the past years to ensure they do not go back to their old ways,’’ he said....

It is reassuring to know that Mr. Suffat has Shown "remorse and repentance and seven years of rehabilitation" and that Malaysian officials will be monitoring him to ensure he does not go back to his "old ways." Nevertheless, it is disconcerting to know that the Malaysian Interior Minister and Police Inspector General cannot agree on the date he was released from custody.

By the way, did I mention that Mr. Sufaat's affiliation with Al Qaeda was that of a Weapons of Mass Destruction researcher?