Cops on high alert over Isis militants’ threat to kidnap VIPs

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa says the Islamic State struggle in the country has moved from recruitment and training, to the next level, that is kidnapping and robbery. – The Malaysian Insider pic, May 20, 2015.Police are on high alert against Islamic State (Isis) militant's plans to kidnap dignitaries (VIPs) for ransom and rob banks to finance their activities.

The militants are also believed to be planning to attack police stations and army camps to obtain more weapons.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Tajuddin Md Isa said the militants were also targeting locations with a concentration of foreigners as well as strategic government buildings including offices in Putrajaya.

"A study showed that the Isis struggle has passed the first level of recruitment and training of new members, and is now entering the second level (kidnapping and robbery)," he said.

Tajuddin was addressing city police at the KL police chief monthly assembly at Dataran Kawad in Kuala Lumpur today.

He advised the police force, particularly department heads, district police chiefs and police station chiefs to remain alert against potential threats.

On April 26, police detained 12 local men suspected of conspiring to launch an attack on strategic targets and government assets around Klang Valley. Police also recovered bomb-making paraphernalia and firearms.

Tajuddin said police had already moved to tighten security around areas that could be targetted by the militants.

"The police are also cooperating with other enforcement departments and agencies.

"Monitoring by the government showed that the Malaysians who were drawn to go to Syria and Iraq had been influenced by the Isis claim that the war in Syria and Iraq was an apocalyptic war," he said. – Bernama

- TMI