108 people with IS links detained so far

comments     Bernama     Published     Updated

The police have detained a total of 108 people linked to the Islamic State (IS) militant activities, says Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said of the total, six had been prosecuted while the rest were under police investigation.

"Some of them who returned from Syria and Iraq and came to our country were arrested by the police," he told reporters after opening the 1Malaysia Internet Centre in Kampung Simpang Empat, Rungkup, in Bagan Datoh today.

Also present was state youth, sports, communication and multimedia commitee chairperson, Shahrul Zaman Yahya.

Ahmad Zahid said to date, a total of 66 Malaysians were reported to be in Syria and Iraq.

Meanwhile, commenting on his official visit to Australia to attend the Regional Summit to Counter Violent Extremism: Challenging Terrorist Propaganda, he said the Australian Government took into account views raised by Malaysia.

He said Australia also commended Malaysia's efforts in addressing violence through the Prevention of Terrorism Act and Special Measures Against Terrorism Abroad 2015 approved by Parliament recently.

The summit brought together key stakeholders from governments, civil society and industries in the region to build capacity to address the threat of violent extremist groups.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said the term 'jihadist' used by the western media to refer to IS militants should be corrected.

- Bernama



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