Three arrested over Jalan Alor threat

KUALA LUMPUR: Three suspected terrorists have been detained in the city following a terror alert issued by the US embassy. 

The three - a Malaysian, a Syrian and an Indonesian - were picked up by the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division on Thursday. 

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the police acted fast in detaining the suspects, aged between 30 to 51 years, after the terror alert was issued. 

“We are investigating the involvement of the suspects in a supposed terror threat in Jalan Alor. 

“It is still too early, so give us time,” he said when contacted on Friday. 

Noor Rashid said Bukit Aman had cooperated with counterparts from others countries in obtaining vital information that led to the arrests of the trio. 

They have been detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012. 

“We are on top of things. We will never let any attack occur in Malaysia,” he said. 

Later in a statement, Noor Rashid said one of the suspects had made frequent trips to Yemen and he had entered Malaysia a few days ago. 

“The travel advisories issued by a few foreign embassies are designed to ensure the safety of their citizens. 

“We are in the midst of verifying whether the trio had planned to launch any attack in Malaysia,” he said. 

On Thursday, the US Embassy issued a travel advisory advising American citizens on the possibility of terrorist attacks in Jalan Alor near Bukit Bintang and its surrounding areas.

An alert has also been posted on the Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website warning its citizens.