Police have arrested seven Filipino men, suspected to be members of the Abu Sayyaf group, who worked as security guards in Kuala Lumpur.

Inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun said in a statement today that the suspects, aged between 22 and 38, were picked up by Bukit Aman's Counter Terrorism Division on Sept 14, at several locations in the city.

"The operation was carried out following arrests made on Aug 30, on an Abu Sayyaf cell which had planned to launch attacks during the closing ceremony of the 29th SEA Games in Bukit Jalil, as well as the Merdeka Day parade the following day...