Oh gosh. Malaysians, particularly those living in Klang Valley, really need to be on their toes while being out and about or hanging out at popular haunts in the city.
Apparently, the authorities have identified 7 areas in Klang Valley popular for entertainment, shopping, and tourism as terrorists’ hotspots.
This was confirmed by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who cited an intelligence report and said that the 7 areas are:
- Bangsar
- Hartamas
- Publika
- The Curve
- Bukit Bintang
- Kuala Lumpur (city centre)
- KL Tower
He said the ministry’s enforcement teams will work together with the police, as part of the efforts in beefing up security.
“The threats are there and we are very well aware of this, so we are on standby for any possible event. We will also consider engaging the help of the Defence Ministry to secure popular tourist and leisure hotspots if the need arises.”
Tengku Adnan added that the Federal Territories ministry has instructed that security be beefed up in crowded areas in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan. He also urged the public to come forward with any information or suspicion on any form of militant activities.
In a separate report by The Star Online, Johor too is said to be on high alert, having increased their police presence at public places following the terrorist attacks in Jakarta. State police chief Comm Datuk Wan Ahmad Najmuddin Mohd said all district police chiefs are to increase security at public places – shopping malls and entertainment centres located throughout the state.
Malaysia’s alert status has been raised to the highest level following the terror attack in Jakarta, Indonesia on Thursday (14th January 2016) which killed at least 7 people and left 23 people wounded.
Yesterday, it was reported that a 27-year-old former insurance agent suspected to be linked to militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was arrested at the Light Rapid Transit (LRT) station in Jelatek. The man, who was in possession of a weapon and an ISIS-related document, had planned a lone-wolf attack on an entertainment outlet in Kuala Lumpur at about 10pm on Friday (15th January).
UPDATE: This post has since been updated. Read it here.
Sources: NST, FMT, The Star Online.
