Malaysia's landmark Petronas Twin Towers illuminates the night skyline in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Monday, April 6, 2015. Malaysia's police chief said Monday that 17 suspected militants were detained Sunday for allegedly plotting to carry out terrorist acts in the country's largest city. Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar tweeted that two of them had just returned from Syria. (AP Photo/Joshua Paul) (The Associated Press)
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia's police chief says 17 suspected militants have been detained for allegedly plotting to carry out terrorist acts in the country's largest city, Kuala Lumpur.
Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar says the 17 people were detained Sunday. Khalid tweeted on Monday that two of them had just returned from Syria. No further details were immediately available.
The government has detained scores of Malaysians believed to be supporters of the Islamic State militant group. Last month, the home ministry proposed two new anti-terror laws that will reintroduce indefinite detention without trial and allow the seizure of passports of anyone suspected of supporting terror acts to curb militant activities in the country.
Critics, however, say the new laws as a return of oppressive policies that will curb civil liberties.
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.