KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 ― Police have dismissed claims that Malaysia harbours terrorists, noting that “only” 72 Malaysians have joined the Islamic State (IS) overseas compared to 1,200 citizens from other countries.

Local daily New Straits Times reported today Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division principal assistant director Datuk Ayob Khan as saying on TV3 that Malaysia was among the first in the world to act by arresting IS militants in February 2013.

“IS is a global threat. Not one country can say they are free from them,” Ayob was quoted saying.

“So far, eight Malaysian militants who went to Syria had been caught and charged in court as soon as they came back,” he added.

Ayob reportedly said the police have foiled six attempts by IS followers to attack the Klang Valley since February 2013, two of which saw the militants already in possession of explosives.

Local police are on heightened alert after the recent bombings in Jakarta claimed by the IS killed eight, with UK paper The Guardian reporting that a third civilian had succumbed to wounds. Five of the attackers were among those killed.