Police to step up security surveillance over IS threat

Police are beefing up security at all key assets of the country following calls by the IS militant group for its followers to carry out attacks on several countries, including Malaysia.

The call was posted on the militant's online magazine, Dabiq.

Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism assistant director Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said police were aware of the call.

"We have raised our level of security, including at foreign missions and tourist destinations," he said in a statement here today.

On Friday, Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga was reported to have instructed its embassies abroad to tighten security following a report on the IS calling its supporters to attack Japanese nationals in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson at the Japanese embassy in Malaysia said Tokyo has instructed all Japanese overseas establishments, including in the targetted countries, to further enhance security.

"In order to take appropriate measures in case of contingencies, the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia is cooperating closely with the Malaysian authorities, as well as taking utmost efforts in collecting related information.

"The Embassy of Japan is taking measures to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens in Malaysia, by providing relevant information through Japan-related organizations and facilities," the spokesperson said when contacted today.