Terrorist plot foiled in Malaysia, two Maldivians arrested

Two Maldivians have been arrested along with 19 suspected after foiling a terrorist attack in Malaysia.

The two Maldivians arrested are of the ages 29 and 32. They were arrested in the Malaysian city of Johor Bahru.

Malaysian news outlets report that according to the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Mohamed Fuzi Harun, the two suspects are connected to the Islamic State.

While a total of 19 people were arrested in a special operation by the Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division from 4 July to 30 August in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Kelantan and Johor, their nationalities range from Palestine, Malaysia, Indonesia to Philippines and Bangladesh aside from the Maldives.

A few of them had directly participated in terrorist planning and killings, as well as other combat activities with the IS or its affiliates according to Malaysian news outlets.

The two Maldivians, who worked as air-conditioning technicians, are suspected of using Malaysia and Singapore as transit points before travelling to Syria to join the IS campaign there.

All 19 people are suspected of planning to launch attacks during the closing ceremony of the 2017 SEA Games on 30 August and the 60th Malaysian Independence Day celebrations the following day.