Police today said it foiled a terror plot when it seized an Islamic State (IS) flag and items suspected to be used to make explosives, hours before the 26th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia is host to the regional summit which will be held at Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi starting tomorrow.

Police also arrested twelve individuals aged 17 to 41 in Hulu Langat, Selangor and Cheras, Kuala Lumpur in relation to the suspected plot.

"(They) are suspected of planning to launch attacks on stategic locations and area with government interests in the Klang Valley.

"This is believed to be to heed the call of an IS leader in Syria who called on attacks on secular Muslim countries who are deemed to be IS' enemies," police said.

Syabas E8 Caw Khas @PDRMsia hari ni b'jaya t'kap 12 org di Ulu Langat/KL yg rancang hurahara kan Negara. Bahan letupan dirampas. Go PDRM Go

— Khalid Abu Bakar (@KBAB51) April 26, 2015

Police said items seized include:

  • About 20kg of powder believed to be ammonium nitrate;

 

  • About 20kg of powder believed to be potassium nitrate;

    •  

  • About two litres of liquid believe to be kerosene;

    •  

  • Two remote control devices;

    •  

  • A motor-operated alarm device;

    •  

  • A type of wire;

    •  

  • Four nine volt batteries;

    •  

  • Two measuring devices;

    •  

  • Three PVC pipes and covers;

    •  

  • An Islamic state flag; and

    •  

  • Other materials believed to be used to build explosives.
    • It was earlier reported that about 2,000 police personnel have been deployed for the summit to ensure security.

    The government earlier cited rising terror risks related to the IS  when it pushed through the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota) in the Dewan Rakyat earlier this month.

    Malaysia has the Penal Code and the Security Offences and Special Measures Act to deal with terrorism.

    The government plans to start enforcing the Pota by June if it is passed by the Dewan Negara.

    The Pota allows detention without trial of up to two years.