Malaysian police thwarted an Islamic State (Isis) plot last year to kidnap Prime Minister Najib Razak, the country's home minister has said.
The plot to kidnap Najib and other top leaders was uncovered and foiled in January last year, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the deputy prime minister, said in parliament.
"A total of 13 IS elements planned to kidnap the country's top leaders, including the prime minister, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and myself," he said in the house on Teusday, the Malaysian Digest reported.
The minister revealed that Islamic terror cells operating in the Kedah province were the masterminds behind the plot.
"They also planned to rob a security van in Genting Highlands to fund their terror activities," he added, in response to a query in parliament.
The Daesh militants had also planned in 2014 to launch attacks at several locations in Alor Setar, Kedah. The police had foiled this plan as well, the minister said.
"The group had planned to test improvised explosive devices before attacking a Syiah mosque and several Chinese temples in the city."
However, the minister said there are "no proper" Isis establishment in the country.
"Although there is no proper Daesh (IS) establishment in the country, those here (in Malaysia) were being influenced and have been receiving orders from the IS network in Syria," he said, according to Reuters.
Muslim majority Malaysia has been on alert against Isis-influenced terror strikes in the country.
In January, officials said they busted a suspected Islamic State cell and arrested seven people in a three-day operation.
Najib had ordered increased security measures across the country in the wake of the Jakarta attack in January.
