234 Malaysians detained on suspicion of Daesh involvement - Home Ministry

As of Feb 22, a total of 234 Malaysians suspected to be involved in the Daesh militant group have been detained by the Royal Malaysia Police.

According to the home ministry, the police have also identified 95 Malaysians who joined the terrorist group in Syria.

"Of this, 30 have died while another eight were arrested as soon as they returned to Malaysia," said the ministry in a written reply to Datuk Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (BN-Tanah Merah) at the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.

Ikmal Hisham wanted to know the number of Malaysians involved in the Daesh militant group movement.

The ministry said the government had intensified security at all major entry points and national borders including air, land and sea with the enforcement of such laws as the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and the Prevention of Crime Act 1959.

It added joint efforts between the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission had also been intensified to monitor the social media.

"This is aimed at curtailing the growth of the Daesh influence. The police are also working hard to prevent Daesh ideology from influencing Malaysians by conducting operations and making arrests, from time to time," it said.

-- BERNAMA