Malaysian police arrested 17 people for allegedly planning attacks in the capital Kuala Lumpur, the country’s police chief said today.

The suspects, including two who had returned from Syria, were arrested yesterday, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar tweeted.

Khalid did not give details about the arrest or about the suspects’ alleged plans.

The arrests came a week after police counter-terrorism director Ayub Khan Mydin warned about imminent attacks by Islamic State militant supporters on Malaysian soil.

Police said that at least 63 Malaysian citizens have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside Islamic State militants.

Dozens more Malaysians have been charged in court since last year for attempting to go to Syria to join the militants.

- dpa