15 Aug 2017 | 11:57 PM UTC
Malaysia: Additional security deployed for SEA Games August 19
Approximately 12,000 security personnel deployed ahead of the SEA Games from August 19 to August 30
Event
The Malaysian government has announced plans to deploy at least 400 officers from the Anti-Terrorism Readiness Troop to army camps in the Klang Valley, including Sungai Besi, Wardieburn, and Batu Kentonmen, ahead of the South East Asian (SEA) Games from Saturday, August 19 to Tuesday, August 30. Military forces will also be working with the police to monitor and patrol 38 locations in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya throughout the games.
A total of 12,000 security personnel are expected to be on duty during the games and transportation disruptions are likely in the vicinity of all SEA Games events due to increased security measures.
Context
The SEA Games are a biennial multi-sport event involving 11 of the countries from South East Asia.
In January 2016, the Malaysian police placed the country on the highest security alert level. On June 28, 2016, a grenade attack at a bar in the town of Puchong injured eight people. Local authorities later confirmed that it was a terrorist attack perpetrated by individuals with links to the Islamic State (IS).
A Malaysian counter-terrorism official said in July 2017 that eight Malaysians have returned from Syria and Iraq since 2014, all of whom were arrested. However, opposition leaders claim the government has intentionally politicized the threat posed by IS in the run-up to general elections, which must occur on or before August 24, 2018. According to one opposition official, since special security measures were introduced five years ago, 979 suspects have been arrested but only 177 were related to IS, of which 43 were foreigners
Advice
Individuals present in Malaysia should remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. Due to a high risk of terrorist attack, always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.).
