Deputy Inspector-General of Police Mazlan Mansor told FMT Malaysia’s state of alert is not on par with that of Indonesia, where 160,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed during the festive season.

This is a marked increase from the 90,000 security personnel deployed last year to guard some 50,000 churches across the country.

Mazlan also said police had not received any intelligence indicating possible plans to disrupt public order or undermine national security during the holiday season.

“But we are always ready to face any eventualities.

“We will continue to be vigilant and deploy the number of personnel that we feel will suffice to ensure that security and public order is maintained, not only during the holiday season but also at all times.”

Indonesian police have arrested more than 100 suspected terrorists since January and are especially concerned that terrorist group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah may try to launch attacks during Christmas or New Year celebrations.

The death of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in an attack in Syria in October has also raised concerns that the terrorist group may shift its operations to Southeast Asia – a possibility which Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin alluded to during the 13th Asean Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime in Bangkok last month.