A schoolgirl, detained in connection with an attempt to join the so-called IS militant group in Syria, was believed to have been interested in its ideology, even before entering a religious school.

Bukit Aman Special Branch principal assistant director (counter-terrorism division) principal assistant director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the information was based on an initial police investigation conducted on the 14-year-old from Muar, Johor.

"However, our investigation is ongoing to determine whether the religious school where she was studying was in anyway, involved in spreading the militant group's ideology.

"We have identified the religious school involved... and until now, the investigations are ongoing.

"However, we believe the girl has been exposed to the group's ideology from the Internet, long before studying in that religious school," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

- Bernama