The terrorist was killed during clashes with Philippines marines in Jolo island recently.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, who confirmed receiving the news of Al Habsi’s death, said the measure was taken to prevent the remnants of the Abu Sayyaf army from escaping from the Philippines military, which was increasingly aggressive in conducting operations to wipe out the terrorists’ activities in that country.

“The death of Al Habsi Misaya … I can confirm that.

“It involves the close cooperation between Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines through a trilateral cooperation that we have established,” he told reporters after attending a closed-door outreach programme under the health ministry at the community house of the Sembrong parliamentary constituency near here today.

Present was Deputy Health Minister Dr Hilmi Yahya.

Hishammuddin was commenting on a report by a foreign news agency yesterday on the death of a senior militant leader believed to be among the masterminds behind the kidnappings of dozens of Malaysian and Indonesian hostages in the waters of both countries.