Malaysia: Police arrest eight in connection with terrorism

Event

Malaysian police announced the September 24 arrest of eight people, including seven foreigners, of suspected links to terrorist organizations. The group are accused of spreading religious extremism and founding a madrasa (religious school) in Perlis state with ties to a notorious Salafi madrasa in northern Yemen. Six of them are also suspected of having ties to the Islamic State (IS). 

Context

Malaysia has a moderate threat of terrorism and has experienced attacks in the past, including an IS-linked attack on a nightclub near Kuala Lumpur in 2016 that wounded eight people. Terrorist plots in the country are routinely disrupted, according to security forces. Around 400 people have been arrested for suspected links to terrorism since 2013.

Advice

Individuals in Malaysia are advised to remain vigilant for militant activity and report any suspicious behavior or activity to the authorities.