Associate Professor Kumar Ramakrishna, Head of the National Security Studies Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said the Freemasons lodge was chosen as it may be seen by the militants as a clear Western symbol in Malaysia.

The lodge is frequented by expats, prominent local businessmen and senior public servants, who gather for informal networking meetings, he said, adding it could also be the case that it appeared less guarded than other potential targets.