KUALA LUMPUR: A local married couple has been detained for allegedly supplying firearms to the Israeli man who was detained at a hotel in Jalan Ampang.
The couple, aged 42 and 40, were nabbed at a Ramadan bazaar in Kuala Selangor at about 7.15pm on Friday (March 29).
The suspects then led police to their home in Kuala Selangor, where police seized another pistol kept in a sling bag.
Sources said the couple's main task was to supply the Israeli man with firearms and other logistical needs.
"So far, investigations have revealed that both suspects were the go-to individuals for the Israeli suspect in terms of acquiring weapons.
"The police are investigating further to uncover whether they had provided the Israeli man with other assistance," the source said.
It is learnt that police also detained a local man in Cameron Highlands, Pahang, who is believed to be the driver for the Israeli suspect.
"Investigators will be able to track the Israeli suspect's movement based on information obtained from the driver.
"The police are also further checking the role of the driver and places where he frequented," the source said.
It was reported that an Israeli man with weapons and bullets had been arrested at a hotel here, with police investigating the possibility that he may be an intelligence agent.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain had said security in the country will be heightened following the arrest.
He said the suspect told police during the course of interrogation that he came to Malaysia to assassinate a fellow Israeli over a family dispute but police are not taking any chances.
“With the situation in Palestine and Israel we need to be cautious about the security of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as well as other dignitaries,” he told reporters at Masjid Al-Amin at the General Operations Force Central Brigade headquarters on Friday.
He said the 36-year-old man was arrested on March 27 by a team from Bukit Aman and Kuala Lumpur CID at a hotel in Jalan Ampang.
“Based on our checks, the man entered using a French passport. Upon further investigation, the suspect handed over an Israeli passport.
“The suspect claims that he entered the country to hunt down and kill a fellow Israeli over a family dispute,” Razarudin said, adding that police seized six pistols and 200 bullets.
He said the guns, which included a Sig Sauer, two Glocks and a Smith & Wesson, were found in bags belonging to the suspect in the hotel room he was staying in.
“Three of the guns were loaded with bullets when they were found.
“Our investigations revealed the suspect had stayed in several hotels before he was caught,” he said, adding that the suspect entered Malaysia on March 12 via a flight from the United Arab Emirates.
