Police hunt for accomplices of 12 detained in Hulu Langat and Cheras - Ahmad Zahid

Police are hunting for the accomplices of the 12 locals recently detained in Hulu Langat and Cheras on suspicion of plotting to launch attacks on strategic targets in the Klang Valley.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said police had obtained their names and the number of the suspected members of the so-called IS militant group and efforts were being done to track them down.

"We are still hunting and are very serious in tracking them down...I'm sure the police will be able to find them wherever they are.

"Apart from monitoring airports, the police are also monitoring land routes, including rat routes, and their activities and communications in social media," he told a press conference here today.

Earlier, Ahmad Zahid received a courtesy call from the British High Commissioner to Malaysia Vicky Treadell at his office.

The 12 men, aged between 17 and 41, were arrested by the Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division in a special operation in Hulu Langat and Cheras over the weekend.

It was reported that police also seized 20kg of ammonium nitrate, 20kg of potassium nitrate and about two litres of liquid believed to be kerosene, two units of remote controls, motor alarm, four nine volt batteries, digital scale, two units of measures, various types of wires, three PVC pipes and covers, IS flag and several equipment believed to be used in producing explosives, from the suspects during the operation.

Initial investigation found that they were plotting to launch attacks on strategic and important targets in the Klang Valley.

Ahmad Zahid said although the group members had never been to Syria of Iraq, the plot showed that they had a network and were ready to commit acts of terror.

The group was not only preparing explosives, but also carrying out tests which, if not prevented, would bring about bigger threats to the targets, he said.

In another development, Ahmad Zahid said the Home Ministry had received proposals from seven companies concerning the construction of 1,763 km-long security wall from Kelantan to Perlis.

He said the construction should be expedited to increase the element of security at the border areas.

However, he said the proposal had yet to be finalised.