The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) will ramp up its information campaign against the Islamic State (IS), a day after terrorists struck in neighbouring indonesia.

Jakim director-general Othman Mustapha said his department would intensify its information activities on the dangers of IS, particularly in "high- risk" areas.

The department will also rope in imam from across the country for this purpose.

"At Jakim, we will provide information to counter IS through all platforms, be it television, radio or the print media," Othman told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Yesterday, several explosions were set off in Jakarta, leaving at least six people dead. The IS has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

This is the first time IS, which is based in the Middle East, has struck in Southeast Asia and it is the closest attack yet to Malaysia.

Othman said Malaysians have got involved in IS activities after being influenced by their propaganda on the social media.

"They are influenced on the internet and that makes it hard to control.

"We are worried, but I believe our security authorities have their means of controlling the information flow," he said.

Beauty pageant fuss

On another matter, Othman declined to comment on the holding of the Miss Tourism 2015/16 beauty pageant in Malacca which has been described as being Western in nature and going against Islamic values.

"Let that one be," he said simply when asked to comment on the issue by a reporter.

PAS, Amanah Malacca and several NGOs had expressed concern over the beauty pageant, with Amanah women's wing chief Mahani Othman Basir reportedly saying that the pageant went against Islamic values as it involved wearing revealing clothing with the audience comprising both men and women.

To make things worse, Mahani added, Malacca Menteri Besar Idris Haron had also attended the event.

Idris, however, said that Malacca's tourism indsutry would benefit greatly from the publicity gained from organising the beauty pageant.