Malaysia is on high alert following reports that two Turks of Uighur descent, suspected of plotting terrorist attacks in Thailand, could be entering the country, stoking fears of a militant attack in South-east Asia after attacks in Bangkok and Jakarta in recent months.

Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Sunday (April 10) the country is working closely with Interpol, Aseanapol and China to monitor the pair’s movements.

“We have the system in place (to monitor them) and are now collaborating with regional enforcement agencies and intelligence,” he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

… Speaking to TODAY, Mr Romain Quivooij, an associate research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) said South-east Asian governments cannot play down the threat posed by suspected Uighur terror suspects.

“The terror threat posed by suspected Uighur terror suspects in the South-east region is serious and it has become an increasing motive of concern over the last year,” he told TODAY in an email.