Bomb threats against Malaysia, neighbours found in Indonesia

KUALA LUMPUR - Indonesian authorities have increased surveillance in the Riau Islands province, after flyers warning of bomb attacks targeting locals and visitors from neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore were discovered, according to a news portal.

The portal, Batam Today, said in a report that the flyers and letters claimed Indonesian militants were planning to stage attacks at the Batam Center Ferry Terminal and Nagoya in Batam, and Bintan Telani and Tanjung Pinang on Bintan Island.

“In the aftermath of the bomb attack on the police headquarters in Solo, we have increased security measures in Tanjung Pinang, especially around vital targets such as police headquarters and ferry terminals,” Kristian Siaigian, an Indonesian police spokesman was quoted as saying.

Another Indonesian policeman from Bintan, Febrianto Guntur Sunoto was also reported by the same news portal urging for public calm as the authorities investigate the pamphlets.

It is unknown if the threats are from the global terror group Islamic State (IS) which recently released a video declaring war on Malaysia and Indonesia.

Prior to the video, on June 28, a hand grenade was thrown at the Movida Kitchen, Bar & Club Lounge in Puchong, Selangor resulting in eight patrons being injured.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar later announced the attack was carried out by the IS and was the first successful strike on home soil.

Bukit Aman Special Branch director Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Harun later said that Movida was not the initial target as the militants had planned to carry out the attack at a more popular entertainment outlet in the heart of the city.

The police have since stepped up security in public areas.