BIGGEST JOKE - 1MDB & THE IS LINK: EVEN TERROR SUSPECT WANNDY SAYS IGP LYING TO DISTRACT ATTENTION FROM NAJIB'S WOES

KUALA LUMPUR - The man police say was behind Malaysia's first Islamic State-linked attack appears to have denied police allegations, accusing the force of "making up stories" to distract the nation from local problems.

On Monday (Jul 4), Malaysia's Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said a Malaysian linked to the militant group in Syria, Muhammad Wanndy Bin Mohamed Jedi, had orchestrated the attack by ordering followers to target "non-Islamic" entertainment outlets as well as senior officials in government, the police force and judges.

Eight people were injured after an explosion at the club, Movida, at around 2.30am on Jun 28, where there were about 20 patrons catching the Euro 2016 match between Italy and Spain.

This was refuted on Tuesday by a Facebook account suspected to belong to Muhammad Wanndy. "They (the police) are making up stories just to get back at me and to get praise from non-believers and they spin the facts of the arrests to distract Malaysians attention from current affairs in Malaysia that are getting worse."

The Facebook user said those behind the attacks were "normal supporters" who never received orders from him to attack leaders or judges, and threatened large-scale attacks if these supporters were unfairly punished for something they did not do.

Channel NewsAsia understands that police believe Muhammad Wanndy was behind the attack as he had issued a statement a few hours after the grenade attack on Movida claiming responsibility. Authorities also received intelligence from other sources that he had directed the attack.

Two suspects will be charged in Malaysia within the next two weeks. It is expected evidence from investigations linking Muhammad Wanndy to the blast will be revealed during the trial.

Earlier, Bukit Aman Special Branch director Mohamad Fuzi Harun told local broadcaster Astro Awani that militants in Malaysia did not have the ability to conduct large-scale attacks, although the police would not take such threats lightly.

"They are now trying to learn on how to make explosive from neighbouring countries. We are constantly monitoring their activities," he was quoted as saying.

- CNA/kk