Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar has refuted reports that the Malaysian arrested by Philippine authorities over alleged terrorism was a bomb-making expert.
Khalid said police intelligence confirmed that the suspect from Kelantan, in his early 30s, was not a bomb-making expert.
"I saw some reports saying he's a bomb expert. No, he's not. He's just a student of religion who went there. I don't know what he wants from southern Philippines.
"Maybe he went there to study or spread religion. Maybe he wants to carry out jihad there.
"I cannot confirm that he's a militant yet because we are still waiting for the full report from our counterparts in the Philippines," he added.
On Wednesday, Khalid confirmed the arrest of Mohamas Amin by the Philippine authorities and that he was a Malaysian from Kelantan.
Asked whether the suspect was arrested with any explosives, Khalid said that was the claim made by Philippine authorities.
"From what we know, this Malaysian is a supporter of Muslim fighters in southern Philippines," he said.
