The United States embassy in Kuala Lumpur reopened its doors today after being shut since last Friday following a 'security threat'.

When contacted, embassy spokesperson Kathryn Taylor said the decision to reopen the premises was made last night.

As for the security threat, she said: "The US embassy takes security very seriously. We have a responsibility not only to our Malaysian and American employees but also others who come into the building. It's our responsibility to give these people faith."

She added that the embassy will continue to work closely with local authorities and has beefed-up security around its compound.

However, she declined to divulge any details on police investigations regarding the security threat.

"We had credible information about the security threat so we had to take action. But we are happy to come back to work now," she said.

Work as usual

Taylor said work will proceed as normal and arrangements have been made to accommodate those affected by the closure, namely visa applicants.

Last Thursday, it was reported that an embassy staff had reported sighting several foreigners, including one with a camera, loitering outside the mission.

Contacted later, Kuala Lumpur police chief Mustafa Abdullah was not available for comment as he was engaged in a meeting.

In August 2004, sections of the embassy were closed due to an anthrax scare. It was shut down again a month later over a similar threat.

Last October, the embassy was among several foreign missions here which received suspicious packages containing a powdery substance.