Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar today expressed regret that Australia had "unilaterally" issued a travel advisory notice for its citizens to Malaysia.

"I am disappointed. I think they issued this unilaterally. They did not consult us.

"In the spirit of togetherness, if we have any information, we would share with them. I strongly call upon Australia, if they have something, share with us," Khalid told a press conference after accompanying Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Armed Forces chief Zulkifeli Mohd Zin on a walkabout to observe heightened security measures at the Pavilion Mall.

He said this in response to a travel advisory from the Australian government, warning its citizens to be extra vigilant of possible terrorist attacks, as published on its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website yesterday.

"In this case, I do not know on what basis the advisory was issued," he said.

Commenting further, Khalid said every country including Malaysia would have its own concerns but this did not warrant the issuance of a travel advisory.

"We also have our concerns but we don't raise it in the form of advisories," he said, adding police were committed to increasing security following the recent terror attacks in Jakarta.

Asked on the number of terror-related arrests made so far, Khalid said 170 individuals had been arrested since the beginning of last year.

"We will continue to identify the people who may pose a threat to us.

"We do not wish for them to come back. If they come back, we will deal with them," he said in reference to Malaysians who had fled the country to join IS-linked groups in the Middle-East.

Aside from Australia, the British government had also reportedly raised their terror threat level for East Malaysian resorts last week.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office had advised against all travel to Sabah's eastern islands, raising its threat level there from 'general' to 'high'.

Not timely

When met earlier, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed also described the advisories as being 'unnecessary' and a 'delayed reaction'.

"I don't understand why the governments of Australia and UK had issued the travel advisories. We know better about our security situation.

"The travel advisories were unnecessary because we have taken all the necessary precautions," said Nur Jazlan.

He also added that the travel advisories would only be timely if issued immediately after the Jakarta bombings last month as it would be a 'logical conclusion' for Kuala Lumpur to be a next possible target for terror attacks.