Dead sword-wielding man had no followers, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR - Police investigating the recent amok case in Putrajaya, involving an armed couple, have ruled out the existence of a radical group that could threaten national security.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said samurai sword-wielding Khalil Afandi Abd Hamid, 47, who died after he was shot twice by police on Monday, had no followers.

"There is no new cult or deviant religious group. We have examined his Facebook page as well as his blog and investigations have led us to rule out that he had followers who subscribed to his radical thinking.

"Nevertheless, we are not taking any chances and are continuing investigations," he said yesterday.

Police arrested a 39-year-old man on Wednesday, believed to be Khalil Afandi's close friend who may be able to shed light on deceased's activities. He has been remanded until July 15.

Police have also recorded statements from five people, including Khalil Afandi's wife and 28-year-old Muhdalina Ahmad's husband. Muhdalina was with Khalil Afandi during the incident in Putrajaya.

The other three, aged between 20 and 40, are those who had commented on Khalil Afandi's blog entry.

Ismail said police always kept a close eye on blogs and social media such as Facebook and had not come across any individual or group that was spreading cult messages through the Internet.

It is learnt that Khalil Afandi had claimed to be the prophesied messiah Imam Mahdi.

Ismail said Muhdalina, an International Islamic University graduate, who suffered a gunshot wound on her right thigh was recovering and that her statement had also been recorded.

"We are doing a complete background check on them to find out why they embraced this type of radical thinking," he said.