THREE terrorist suspects wanted for plotting large-scale attacks on houses of worship are still in the country, said the inspector-general of police.

Abdul Hamid Bador said efforts to locate them are ongoing.

“We believe they are still in the country. We are stepping up efforts to hunt them.

“Police are taking it very seriously, and we will make sure that the three are apprehended soon,” he told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

The suspects are Syazni Mahzan and Nurul Azim Azizan, both from Bedong, Kedah, and Indonesian Fathir Thir, whose last address was in Banting, Selangor.

The three are part of an Islamic State cell in Malaysia.

Earlier this month, police arrested four men from the same group for plotting to bomb houses of worship and an entertainment outlet, and assassinate a number of high-profile individuals.

One of the men arrested was the mastermind – a 34-year-old from Kuala Berang, Terengganu.

Police seized a pistol and six improvised explosive devices from the suspect, who had wanted to “avenge” the death of firefighter Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim by attacking the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple.

Adib died of injuries sustained in riots at the temple last year.

The others arrested were two Rohingya and an Indonesian.

They had agreed to carry out the attack, and received orders from an unknown Malaysian man in Syria. – May 15, 2019.