KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 ― Three terror suspects detained in Kelantan last week had planned to attack a beer festival among other locations, the police said.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun told The Star that the trio had tested improvised explosive devices (IED).
“I can confirm that the suspects were targeting various locations in the country, including the beer festival. They made the IED and even tested it,” Fuzi was quoted saying.
He reportedly said the terror threat against the beer festival was real, presumably referring to the axed Better Beer Festival scheduled at a shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Selangor district police have separately claimed security threats against similar events in Petaling Jaya and Klang.
“We advised against organising the event because there was an actual threat. We have been very consistent on security matters,” the IGP was quoted saying.
Fuzi stressed earlier this month that the police’s objection against the Better Beer Festival in the capital city had been based on real security concerns and was not related to political pressure, or any racial or religious sensitivities. PAS and several Muslim groups had previously protested against the festival.
Although the Oktoberfest event in Petaling Jaya did not end up getting approval from the local council, the beer festival was held successfully in Penang.
