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1st LD: Malaysian police arrest three over alleged terrorist threat

Xinhua, September 25, 2015 Adjust font size:

Malaysian police said Friday that three suspected terrorists were arrested, following travel warnings by western governments over possible terrorist attack in the country's capital.

Police said the latest operation on Thursday was based on the confessions by suspects arrested earlier that there was plot to launch attacks on "asset important to the nation and western interests, as well as in public places".

The three men, aged between 30 and 51, comprised a local and two foreigners. One of the foreign suspects have visited Yemen frequently and entered Malaysia several days ago, police said.

Deputy national police chief Noor Rashid Ibrahim said an Indonesian and a Syrian national were arrested, according to report by the state news agency Bernama.

The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and the Australian government on Thursday advised their citizens to avoid Alor Street, a famous tourist attraction in downtown Kuala Lumpur, and the immediate surrounding areas. "Based on credible threat information regarding a potential terrorist act, the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur advises U.S. citizens to avoid Kuala Lumpur's Jalan Alor (Alor Street) and the immediate surrounding areas, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015,"the U.S. Embassy said on its website.

For all other locations, the U.S. Embassy reminds its citizens of the need for caution and awareness of personal security.

The Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said there was "an ongoing threat of terrorism" in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur and other major cities.

In 2015, Malaysian authorities have made a number of arrests of persons allegedly involved in planning attacks, including against entertainment venues in Kuala Lumpur, it added.

Despite the warnings, police said security in the capital was under control. Noor Rashid said police had contacted the embassies of the United States and Australia on the security level at that particular location relating to the possibility of terrorist attacks taking place.

Malaysia has strengthened security following the emergence of Islamic State, arresting suspects who have links to the group. Endi