AKIPRESS.COM - Malaysian authorities have arrested 17 people, including two who had recently returned from Syria, for allegedly plotting terror attacks in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Police Chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a Twitter message Monday that the 17 were arrested Sunday. He gave no further information, saying a statement would be issued later, VOA News reports.

The arrests come after the Home Ministry proposed two new anti-terror laws last week that will reintroduce indefinite detention without trial and allow the seizure of passports of anyone suspected of supporting terror acts.

Critics say the move is a revival of a controversial security law that was repealed in 2012, and warned the new law could be used to severely limit civil liberties.

Malaysian authorities have arrested scores of citizens since the start of last year for allegedly being supporters of the Islamic State militant group.