REPORT ON GERMAN CHANNELLING FUNDS TO AL-QAEDA NOT TRUE

REPORT ON GERMAN CHANNELLING FUNDS TO AL-QAEDA NOT TRUE


KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun
Hussein Tuesday refuted a media report linking the detention of a German
national in his country to the channelling of funds for the Al-Qaeda group while
he was working in Malaysia.


He said that based on the investigation carried out, the man was detained
for another crime and not on the allegation that he was involved in activities
to channel funds to the terrorist group.

"(In fact) the investigation did not detect any activity that the man or
other individuals are involved in the activities of the extremist group in
Malaysia or any other foreign country," Hishammuddin told reporters after
visiting the headquarters of the Malaysian Civil Defence Department, here
Tuesday.

In fact, he said, the report from Central Bank of Malaysia also did not
detect any transaction in the bank account of the man to finance the group's
activities.

The minister said this when asked to comment on the report of a local
English daily that a man, known as Sermit Illgen, 31, who was working with
Daimler Chrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd in Pekan, Pahang was allegedly detained in
Germany for channelling funds to several terrorist groups including the
Al-Qaeda.


Hishammuddin said that from the information he had received, the authorities
in the United States (US) and Germany had been monitoring and investigating the
man since march last year.

However, he did not disclose why the suspect was being monitored and
investigated.

Hishammuddin said, however, the Home Ministry viewed the local press report
with deep concern and wanted the police to investigate, including having
meetings with those making the allegation and to call up the reporter concerned
for investigation.

-- BERNAMA