3 detained on suspicion of terrorist recruiting in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR (AP) - Malaysian police detained three people on Thursday, including an Al-Qaeda-linked former army captain, suspected of recruiting militants for terrorist activities.

The detentions are believed to be the first under Malaysia's Security Offences Act, which was introduced last year to replace a law that allowed indefinite detention without trial.

The two men and a woman were detained on suspicion they led efforts "to recruit several Malaysians for terrorist activities," said national police chief Ismail Omar.

He said in a statement that an investigation is ongoing.