Malaysia: Over 400 people detained in counter-terror raids Aug. 7

Event

Security officials said that a significant counter-terrorism operation was carried out in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur on Monday, August 7. According to the authorities, over 400 people were detained in the raids. Most of the suspects are foreign nationals from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. A number of machines to make fake passports and forge immigration documents were also seized during the raids. Additional operations may occur in the coming days.

Context

The government said that the operation targeted individuals with missing or fraudulent travel documents, as well as anyone who was suspected of being affiliated with terror groups in Syria and Iraq. Security throughout Kuala Lumpur has increased as the city prepares to host the Southeast Asian Games, which run from August 19 through August 31.

A Malaysian counter-terrorism official said in July 2017 that eight Malaysians have returned from Syria and Iraq since 2014, all of who 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.).