Malaysian police participate in a drill ahead of the 29th SEA Games (Photo: EPA/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysian authorised agencies foiled an attack targeted at the 29th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) and the 60th anniversary of Malaysia’s National Day celebration (August 31).
According to Malaysian police on September 5, as many as 19 people were arrested, including 11 foreigners from Bangladesh, the Maldives, Iraq, Palestine, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Malaysian police chief Mohammad Fuzi Harun said the arrested were caught during raids on extremists nationwide in July and August.
One Filipino, aged 25, was a member of the Abu Sayyaf insurgent group in southern Philippines. He had plotted an attack on the closing ceremony of the 29th SEA Games, which was held at Bukit Jalil stadium in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur on August 30 and the parade marking the country’s National Day a day later.
However, Malaysian police have yet to reveal his identity or if any explosives or weapons were seized. The suspects are being held under a Malaysian anti-terrorism bill that allows for detention of up to 28 days without charge.
Between 2012 and April 2017, 989 people were arrested under the anti-terrorism bill.-VNA
