Malaysian Police are seeking at least four more suspects over the assault of Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Malaysia Ibrahim Ansar.
Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Abdul Samah Mat said the suspects were identified after police detained five men, aged between 25 and 56, between Sunday and 7pm yesterday.
“We believe they’re involved in Sunday’s incident at the KL International Airport,” he said.
“A manhunt has since been launched and a special investigation team has also been formed,” he said, adding that the remand order for the five would expire today.
Comm Abdul Samah said 47 reports were filed over former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Malaysia.
“We are looking into the background of those who lodged the reports to see if any of them are supporters of the Sri Lankan Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) organisation.
“Our investigations revealed that the assault against the envoy was linked to the former president’s visit here,” he said.
On Tuesday, it was reported that five people were arrested over the assault.
Ansar was assaulted by a group of eight to 12 people after sending off Sri Lankan Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage at the airport.
Gamage was in Malaysia for the International Conference of Asian Political Parties last Saturday, which was also attended by Rajapaksa.
Comm Abdul Samah said the authorities would have provided security to the envoy if they had been alerted to Ansar’s plan to send off Gamage.
In a statement yesterday, the Foreign Ministry said the Malaysian government expressed regret over the attack that resulted in Ansar sustaining minor injuries.
Conveying its sympathies, the ministry gave its assurance that the authorities would investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice, vowing to work closely with the Sri Lankan High Commission to ensure no recurrence of similar incidents.
On Monday, the police warned that the LTTE was an illegal organisation and action could be taken against Malaysians who supported the group. -Agencies
Source: The Star Online
