Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has advised Malaysian students in Manchester. England to be on the alert and not to gather in groups or participate in weekly discussions at their residences for the time being to avoid suspicion by British authorities.

The Deputy Prime Minister said this followed the detention of three Malaysian students by Greater Manchester police on Monday in connection with the bombing incident at Manchester Arena which killed 22 people on May 22.

"We are advising them to stop their weekly discussions for the time being to avoid suspicion by enforcement authorities.

"Similarly, do not allow students from other countries to visit our student residence for the time being," he told the media after attending the "Programme To Instill Noble Values with the Deputy Prime Minister" with Home Ministry (KDN) employees in Selangor at Tengku Ampuan Jemaah Mosque in Bukit Jelutong here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, also broke fast and performed the Maghrib prayers with KDN staff.

The Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) in a statement yesterday confirmed receiving reports that three Malaysian students had been detained for questioning by Greater Manchester police at about 5.40pm (local time) on May 29 and they were released at 9pm (local time).

The Deputy Prime Minister said even though they were freed, the three students were still traumatised over the police action in entering their residence and breaking down locked doors.

He said the three were now housed at Malaysia Hall in Manchester.

Ahmad Zahid, however, was satisfied with the investigations by United Kingdom authorities on the three students who were released.

"We understand the situation in Manchester as Islamphobia occurrs not only in Europe and North America but also in Manchester as there are many Muslims there.

"During my past working visit, I had met senior police officers in Manchester who hold engagements with ulamas and Muslim community leaders in Manchester," he said, adding that the arrest of Malaysian students could be due to a misunderstanding and unfavourable reports by certain quarters on the weekly student gatherings.

Ahmad Zahid also assured Malaysian students in United Kingdom not to be afraid with the investigations by the authorities there as the Malaysian government was also working with the MI5 and MI6 intelligence agencies in the country.

" ...if our students are suspected of being involved in terrorism but with no record of involvement, we will inform them accordingly," he said.

It was reported at least 22 people died including children and 59 people were injured in a bomb explosion as soon as spectators at a concert by US artiste, Arianna Grande began getting out of the venue.

Police also described the explosion as a terrorist attack, media reports said.