[UPDATED] Japan warns its citizens in Malaysia of possible terror attacks

KUALA LUMPUR – The Japanese government has warned its citizens in Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries of possible terror acts, raising concerns of attacks here.

A Japan embassy spokesman confirmed to The Vibes that an email was sent by its Foreign Ministry over the weekend.

An alert was issued by the embassy on its website this morning. 

“There is information that there is an increasing possibility that suicide bomb attacks will occur in places where many people gather, such as places of worship,” the translated notice read.

“We ask all Japanese residents to remain vigilant against terrorism attacks.”

The embassy urged its nationals to practise caution and take several measures to ensure their safety, including avoiding visiting places that could be possible terror targets.

This include “Western-owned” facilities such as restaurants, hotels, public transportation, markets, tourist spots and other areas that see large crowds, such as houses of worship.

Other locations marked at risk are military, police and security-related facilities, as well as government facilities.

Similar notices have also been issued by the respective Japanese embassies in several other countries in the region, including Singapore and the Philippines.

If it is necessary to visit these places, the embassy advises its people to pay extra attention to the surroundings and to immediately leave the premises if they detect any suspicious activities.

The Japan embassy also urged its citizens to constantly be updated on the latest related information and to always follow instructions issued by authorities here, particularly in the event of an attack. 

The Vibes is waiting for responses from Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and the Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani on the issue.

Earlier today, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat tweeted that the Japan embassy in Thailand informed them that this is an instruction from Japan’s Foreign Ministry.

He added that the Japanese authorities could not elaborate on the information and that it is not specific to Thailand.

“The embassy informed that it was an instruction from the Japanese Foreign Ministry. It could not elaborate on the information and it is not specific in Thailand.”

Re: news that Japanese MFA’s sent emails to Japanese citizens in Southeast Asia against possible terrorist acts, Japanese embassy in Thailand informed that it was an instruction frm Japanese MFA and could not elaborate on the info and it was NOT specific to Thailand. @rtetokyo

— Tanee Sangrat (@SangratTanee) September 13, 2021

It added that they were told to stay away from certain areas after obtaining information that “there are increased risks of (a) suicide bombing at religious facilities and other crowded places”.

The Bangkok Post also tweeted that the warning was issued to Japan nationals in Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar.

Meanwhile, counter-terrorism expert Andrin Raj said according his source, the alert issued by Japan is likely a general one, in view of the recent 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. 

“This is a general alert by a government to their citizens overseas given the 9/11 anniversary and the movement of pro-IS (Islamic State) groups. 

“Usually, embassies give these alerts to protect their citizens,” said Andrin, who is an associate fellow at the Research Centre for Security and Violent Extremism, University Indonesia. – The Vibes, September 13, 2021

Additional reporting by Arjun Mohanakrishnan