Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said Riduan Isamuddin, also known as Hambali, may become the catalyst for terrorism in the region if he is released by the US. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

JOHOR BARU, Aug 22 — Malaysia is hoping that the United States will not consider an appeal from former al-Qaeda leader, Hambali, to be released from the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said this was because if Hambali, or his real name, Riduan Isamuddin, is released from the prison and allowed to return to Southeast Asia, he would become the catalyst for terrorism in the region.

“According to information gathered by security agencies in this region, terrorist groups or those keen on being terrorists neither have a sophisticated leadership nor the knowledge to obtain weapons and explosives that can cause mass destruction.

“So, if Hambali is allowed to return home, he can give them his expertise and become their leader,” he told reporters after visiting Johor Home Ministry Complex at Setia Tropika here today.

Nur Jazlan, who is also Pulai MP, said in Hambali’s case, security factor should come first compared to other factors, including his release, because he was involved in terror attacks which claimed the lives of many innocent people, including the 2002 Bali bombing.

Hambali was reported to have appeared before the Guantanamo Bay review board on Thursday, asking to be released from the prison with a live video feed of the proceedings, which lasted about 10 minutes, was made available to reporters and other accredited observers at the Pentagon.

This was the first appearance of Hambali, who has been referred to as the ‘Osama bin Laden of Southeast Asia’ since his arrest in Thailand in August 2003. — Bernama