A Malaysian planning to attack leaders of political parties and non-Muslims was among the 16 people arrested on suspicion of terrorism.

In a statement, Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) principal assistant director Ayob Khan said the suspect believed that these politicians and non-Muslims were disrespecting Islam and the Malays.

Responding to this, former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan trained her guns on politicians sowing discord in the nation.

“I hope our irresponsible and racist politicians who peddle hate and divisiveness are reading this,” she tweeted this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that those arrested comprised 12 Indonesians, three locals and one Indian national.

They were detained in Sabah, Pahang, Johor, Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.

"The suspects were detained in a special operation between Aug 10 until yesterday,” Ayob told a press conference in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur.

According to Ayob, two Malaysians detained in Sabah were responsible for spreading Islamic State propaganda and acted as facilitators for an Indonesian couple and three of their children who carried out a suicide bombing attack on a church in Jolo, southern Philippines, last December.

The pair also arranged for funds to be channelled to the Maute terrorist group in southern Philippines.

Ayob also revealed how some of the suspects created new Islamic State cells in Malaysia and promoted the group through social media.

“They were also active in recruiting new members, including Indonesians and Malaysians, and planned to launch attacks in Malaysia and Indonesia after recruiting as many members as possible,” he added.

As for the Indian national, Ayub said the 38-year-old woman, who worked as a cleaner, was a member of the Sikh For Justice group.