‘Ignore’ KLM’s terror attack warning, says Malaysia IGP

KUALA LUMPUR — Inspector-General of Police, Mr Khalid Abu Bakar, brushed off this afternoon (Jan 30) the Royal Dutch Airlines’ (KLM) security advisory claiming of a possible terror attack by Islamic State (IS) militants in Malaysia.

“Just ignore it,” Mr Khalid said in a text message to Malay Mail Online when asked to respond to the warning.

In the advisory issued on Jan 26, which is valid up to Feb 2, KLM’s Security Services claimed it had received credible information from Malaysian enforcement authorities that the terrorist group intends to launch an attack in Malaysia.

The advisory alleged that IS militants had joined al Qaeda in the “Malay archipelago” and there will be tightened security at several locations.

Checks with the airline revealed that the advisory was issued for internal use only, but the screenshot of the risk information analysis has already gone viral on microblogging network, Twitter.

Mr Khalid added that the Ministry of Home Affairs had already responded, but did not specify to whom.

The IGP did not respond when asked if the public should take any precautionary measures.

The advisory discouraged people from going to crowded places and to avoid “Western embassies and government buildings”.

“Avoid crowded touristic areas, especially Berjaya Square, and all areas where foreigners tend to congregate,” the advisory read, which also urged airline staff to avoid commenting on the jihadist movement.

When contacted, a KLM Security Services spokesperson said that the advisory was issued after information was verified with the Malaysian authorities.

As many as 50 Malaysians are currently fighting for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, with some saying that the jihad was mandated by the Prophet Muhammad.

Some of the jihadists identified include former Kedah PAS leader Mohd Lotfi Ariffin, who was killed in Syria following an ambush, and UK-educated Ahmad Salman Abdul Rahim, who held a job with a construction company.

Malaysia has designated IS a terrorist group. MALAY MAIL ONLINE