Islamic State (IS) followers consider Malaysia an "infidel" nation because the Federal Constitution does not enforce Islam in total and contains laws from the colonial era.

Furthermore, they believe that democracy is man made and not a concept derived from divine revelation.

Based on the above, Armed Forces Syariah law corp official Major Nadzri Musman ( left ) said IS considers that violence is permitted to topple the Malaysian government.

According to Ismaweb, he was speaking at a ceramah in Perak.

Nadzri said the IS mindset is to brand all those who are not involved in their struggle as well as those who practice secularism and democracy as infidels.

"It is pointless for Muslims to fight alongside IS because it is contrary to syarak (rules that govern Islam) and their deaths cannot be considered as an act of martyrdom," he said.

He also pointed out that slaughtering hostages is cruel and not endorsed by Islam.

"They kill anyone who is suspected of not supporting them, including journalists and human rights activists," he said.

Therefore, Nadzri told those present not to go overboard in understanding the concept of jihad in Islam.

Yesterday, the police revealed that they arrested 12 people and seized explosive material and items likely to be used in bomb-making.

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the group was planning attacks on several strategic locations in the Klang Valley, in a bid to avenge police clampdown on IS sympathisers.

The targets, he added, were "strategic and important" government buildings.

Among those arrested, the youngest was a 17-year-old. The others included a school dropout, a university student, a businessman and an electrician.