IGP: National security heightened after possible Israeli agent nabbed in KL (updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: The arrest of an Israeli national at a hotel along Jalan Ampang has led to the police heightening security levels in the country.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain said the arrest of the 36-year-old man – who police suspect is an Israeli intelligence agent – has put the Royal Malaysia Police on high alert.

“With the situation in Palestine and Israel, we need to be cautious in terms of security.

“This includes the security of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as well as other dignitaries,” he told reporters at the Masjid Al-Amin at the General Operations Force Central Brigade Headquarters on Friday (March 29).

The Israeli man was arrested by police on March 27 by a team from Bukit Aman and Kuala Lumpur CID.

“Based on our checks, the man entered via a French passport. Upon further investigation, the suspect then handed over an Israeli passport.

“The suspect claims that he entered the country to hunt down and kill a fellow Israeli over a family dispute,” he said.

“We are not taking him at his word and do not rule the possibility of him having another agenda,” he said adding that police investigations were focused on the possibility that the suspect is an Isreali intelligence agent.

Police also seized six pistols and 200 bullets from the man.

He said the pistols included a Sig Sauer, two Glocks and a Smith & Wesson.

“Three of the guns were loaded when they were found,” he said.