THE Royal Malaysian Police have revealed that 26 attempted terrorist and militant attacks were prevented over a 12-year period from 2012 to 2024, underscoring the persistent threat from extremist groups in the country.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the thwarted plots involved both coordinated group operations and lone actors.
Two attacks, however, were carried out: a bombing at a pub in Puchong on 28 June 2016, and an assault on the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor on 17 May 2024, resulting in the deaths of two police officers.
“During this period, Division E8 also successfully arrested 75 members of militant and terrorist groups who were planning to carry out attacks in Malaysia.
“Those detained adhered to Salafi Jihadi ideologies promoted by the groups,” Ayob Khan said in a Facebook post today.
He explained that the suspects were apprehended under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) and subsequently faced prosecution under the Penal Code, or were subjected to detention or restriction orders under the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) or the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).
Those prosecuted under the Penal Code were convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to 25 years.
Ayob Khan highlighted several high-risk plots foiled by the Counter Terrorism Division, including a 2012 plan to bomb foreign embassies in Kuala Lumpur and a series of planned attacks targeting entertainment venues in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor in 2013.
Other schemes intercepted included assaults on places of worship, public premises, and strategic locations, as well as a significant plot against high-profile individuals and key infrastructure. Plans involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Putrajaya were also disrupted.
Addressing scepticism about the capabilities of some suspects to carry out large-scale attacks, Ayob Khan said investigations confirmed that several had successfully manufactured IEDs, vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs), firearms, and hand grenades, and had even conducted controlled detonation tests.
“The effectiveness of preventive legislation such as SOSMA, POTA, and POCA is crucial in allowing early action to thwart violent plots before lives are lost,” he added.
The disclosure comes amid continued vigilance against extremist networks in Malaysia, reinforcing the importance of intelligence-led operations and robust legal frameworks to mitigate threats and protect public safety. - January 28, 2026
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