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Wait, Why Is There An ‘ISIS Malaysia’ In KL?!

Don't panic yet.

Cover image via Daniel Liew

A road signage in Kuala Lumpur has caught the attention of netizens because of the words "ISIS Malaysia" on it

Image via Lowyat Forum

The signboard sports the words "ISIS Malaysia" along with directions to other popular landmarks in the city such as Tugu Negara (National Monument), Jabatan Kesihatan Wilayah Persekutuan (Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Health Department), Taman Botani Perdana (Perdana Botanical Garden), and Planetarium Negara (National Planetarium).

But don’t panic…just yet. ISIS Malaysia actually stands for 'Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia', not the terrorist group!

Image via Daniel Liew

ISIS Malaysia has been around since 8 April 1983, after it was established as an autonomous, not-for-profit research organisation

Image via ISIS Malaysia

ISIS Malaysia has a diverse research focus which includes economics, foreign policy, security studies, nation-building, social policy, technology, innovation and environmental studies.

It also undertakes research collaboration with national and international organisations in important areas such as national development and international affairs.

isis.org.my

It is safe to say that there is no apparent links between ISIS Malaysia and the global terror group.

Malaysians have been on high alert ever since ISIS successfully launched its first successful attack on Malaysian soil recently

Malaysia police confirmed that the Movida nightclub bombing in Puchong on 28 June, which injured 8 people, was an ISIS attack, leading to widespread fear as the terrorist group had declared war on Malaysia a few weeks earlier.

Just a few days ago, a security alert warning the public to stay away from a list of nine locations in the Klang Valley that are purportedly targeted by global terror group ISIS was widely circulated on social media.

However, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar took to his Twitter account to clarify that the alert did not originate from the police force.

Last week, IGP Khalid revealed that ISIS has issued threats against Malaysia's leaders and high-ranking officials:

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