On alert: A security guard patrols in front of Malaysia's iconic building, Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Jan
span class="inline inline-center">
Malaysian police have detained a suspected Islamic State militant who was planning a suicide attack in the country, the police chief said Saturday.
National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said the 28-year-old Malaysian was detained Friday at a monorail station in Kuala Lumpur. Khalid said the man confessed he planned to blow himself up in an attack after receiving orders from members of the Islamic State group in Syria.
Khalid said in a statement that the man also had been hanging Islamic State flags in several Malaysian states to oppose the government's crackdown on the militant group within the country.
Khalid tweeted that "weapons and IS documents were seized" when the man was detained, but no further details about him or the attack he allegedly planned were immediately available.
Separately, three Malaysians were detained on arrival at Kuala Lumpur's airport Monday after Turkey repatriated the two men and one woman detained there on Nov. 16 for trying to sneak into Syria to join the Islamic State group.
The three were recruited through Facebook and the Telegram phone messaging service by a Malaysian man who had joined the militant group in Syria, he said.
Malaysian authorities have detained more than 150 suspects linked to the Islamic State group over the past two years including some who were allegedly plotting attacks in strategic areas in Kuala Lumpur.
Khalid earlier this week said police have raised the security alert to the highest level following deadly attacks in Jakarta. Security has been increased at public places such as shopping malls and tourist spots, with extra precautions taken at border areas to prevent any infiltration by terror suspects. (ags)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.