MALAYSIA does not need instructions from other countries to arrest any individuals here, Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said, responding to queries if the three Turks arrested over the last two days were on the “request” of the Turkey government.

“Why do we want to wait for orders from another country to make arrests here?

“We have our own laws, we take care of the safety and security of our people and our country so it is our right to decide who we want to arrest,” said Khalid at a function in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Khalid refused to divulge what kind of activities the suspects were involved in which led to their arrests.

Reports had suggested that the arrest of the trio, said to be Gulen supporters, was following a request from Turkish authorities. Khalid denied this.

The Gulen movement is believed to be behind the attempted coup in Turkey last year to topple its president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan described the movement as a terror group.

Khalid said outsiders who come into this country and cause trouble are not welcomed here.

“Do not bring your country’s problems into our country,” said Khalid.

Yesterday, police arrested Turkish national Ismet Ozcelik in Chenor, Pahang, a day after they arrested  two Turkish nationals, Turgay Karaman and Ihsan Aslan in Damansara Height, Selangor, for alleged involvement in activities that threaten the safety and security of the country.

Khalid said all three arrests were linked and police have enough reasons to take action.

Although Turgay and Ihsan have been staying here for many years, Khalid said it does not mean that they did not pose a threat.

“It does not matter how long they stayed here, even 50 years, but when they get involved in activities endangering the safety and security of the country, we will take action,” he said.

Both Turgay and Ihsan have been staying in Malaysia for 15 years.

Ismet, a director of a Turkish University had been arrested last December 13 for allegedly obstructing Immigration Department officers from carrying out their duties.

Khalid said police will also be meeting and taking statements from the suspects’ family members.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Home Minister, said yesterday that Turgay and Ihsan were arrested for alleged links to terror group Islamic State (IS).

Malaysia and Turkey are working closely on counter terrorism involving both countries especially when it comes to the IS.

Turkey in the past had deported Malaysians who had wanted to enter Syria via the Turkish border to join the IS. – May 5, 2017.