(Sept 25): Police have detained three men, including a Malaysian, over suspected terror activities, following an alert issued by the US Embassy, advising its citizens to stay away from Jalan Alor in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said that the suspects were arrested in a special operation around Kuala Lumpur by Bukit Aman's Counter Terrorism department yesterday.

"The operation is a result from information obtained from suspects arrested previously, who revealed the existence of plans to launch attacks on assets that are of interest to the country, to the West and public-concentrated areas," he said in a statement this evening.

The three suspects, aged between 30 and 51 years old, were detained in an apartment not far from Jalan Alor.

They include a Syrian and an Indonesian national, who was found to have made frequent trips to Yemen and was detected entering Malaysia a few days ago.

The suspects, including a businessman, have been detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

"Police are still investigating to confirm if the three are involved in any plans to launch attacks in Malaysia," Noor Rashid said.

Yesterday, The Malaysian Insider reported that police have stepped up security and increased patrols in Jalan Alor and surrounding areas following credible information on a potential terrorist attack following the arrests of several militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) in the past month.

According to a police source, more men have been sent to the ground while the US and Australian embassies advised its citizens to avoid Jalan Alor and surrounding areas yesterday.

Noor Rashid said today that police will continue monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and interests of the country are protected.

"This includes increasing security patrols in strategic locations and areas frequented by the public.

"The travel advisories, issued by the foreign embassies, are meant to guarantee the safety of their citizens. It is a universal practice that is followed by every country to ensure the safety of their people wherever they are," he added.

Last month, Malaysian police arrested 10 suspected Isis members in multiple raids across the country.

Those arrested included six security forces personnel, a former interior designer and a kindergarten teacher, it was reported.

The suspects – eight men and two women – were detained by the special counter-terrorism division in six separate areas, including Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider