Earlier, it was reported that popular entertainment, shopping, and tourism spots including Bangsar, Publika, The Curve, and Bukit Bintang have been identified as possible targets by the terror groups. This was confirmed by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, who cited an intelligence report.
The news came after the arrest of a 27-year-old former insurance agent suspected to be linked to militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) 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).
Now, according The Star Online, the police are dismissing reports that the said locations are being targeted by terror groups.
Inspector-General of Police Secretariat assistant head (Corporate Communications) Asst Comm Datin Asmawati Ahmad stressed that the police have never named specific locations to be the targets of the terror group.
In a statement issued by PDRM headquarters Bukit Aman on Sunday (17th January), she said, “The IGP only said that the police were beefing up security at public places to ensure everyone’s safety and this is exactly what the police are doing, by increasing our presence.”
“People are advised not to believe in such rumour and should stop spreading news that can cause unrest, especially statements that do not come from the police force,” she added.
In a separate report from The Star Online, city police chief Comm Datuk Tajudin Md Isa assured that it was safe for citizens and tourists to enter the city and thus, advised the public to proceed wth their daily activities.
“We are not sure where Datuk Seri Adnan got his information from but as far as we’re concerned, the security at all public places have been intensified and we are doing all we can to monitor suspicious activities and maintaining public order,” he said.
Sources: The Star Onlina (1), The Star Online (2) / Featured image from matador network.
