Security threat shuts US Embassy in Malaysia

The US Embassy in Malaysia was shut down today following an unspecified security threat.

There were no reports of danger to private American interests, the mission said.

A consular notice sent by email said the sprawling mission in Malaysia’s main city, Kuala Lumpur, “was closed until further notice in response to a security threat” against the embassy.

“At this time the embassy has no information of specific, credible threats against private American interests in Malaysia,” it said.

US Embassy spokeswoman Kathryn Taylor said the threat was specifically linked to the embassy and “not to American interests in Malaysia in general”.

She refused to give other details, including whether information on the threat had been provided by Malaysian authorities.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to reopen on Tuesday, but that would depend on the security posture that is taken at that time,” she said, noting that the embassy was previously due to close from Saturday to Monday over the New Year holiday.