ISKANDAR PUTERI: The Johor government will review the status of a madrasah located in the residential area of a suspect involved in the Ulu Tiram police station attack before taking any action.
Johor Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said he needed to first check the report by the Johor State Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) before sharing any facts with the public.
"I have to be cautious in discussing this issue. Give me a chance to review the matter, especially the status of the madrasah in question," he said during a press conference at the Sultan Ismail Building here today.
Fared was asked about the status of Madrasah Luqmanul Hakim, following media coverage of the location after the bloody attack on Friday.
The madrasah is situated on private land belonging to the suspect's family.
There is also a signage stating that it is a private property and that the public is prohibited from entering it.
The madrasah is alleged to have been a "meeting ground" for members of a terrorist group in 1996 and 1997.
Fared, who is also Semerah assemblyman, said there were four madrasah in Ulu Tiram.
"According to the records, only two madrasah are registered, namely Madrasah Abu Ayubb Al Ansari and Maahad Tahfiz Riyadhus Solihin.
"The two other madrasah in Ulu Tiram — Maahad Tahfiz Ar Rayyan and Madrasah Al Quran Al Irsyad Sungai Tiram — are found to have not renewed their registration," he said.
On Friday, two policemen died following an attack by a masked man on the Ulu Tiram police station.
Another policeman is reported to be in a stable condition at Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru.
Yesterday, seven people were remanded over the attack, with five of them being the assailant's family members and two students of a higher education institution (IPT).
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain has since confirmed that the suspect was not a member of the terrorist group, Jemaah Islamiyah.
On another matter, Fared, as quoted by a Malay daily, said JAINJ would conduct comprehensive monitoring of any efforts to spread deviant teachings in Ulu Tiram.
Fared said any teachings that are not based on the beliefs of Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah risked misleading believers and posed a security threat.
"This approach will be taken following reports received from the police regarding the incident.
"We understand the community's concerns, so we will focus more on monitoring the spread of deviant teachings in Ulu Tiram. This does not mean that the monitoring in other districts will be reduced."
He told the Malay daily this after the conclusion of the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session at the Sultan Ismail Building today.
