Police identify main recruiters for IS militant group - IGP

Police have identified the main recruiters of Malaysians as members of the Islamic State (IS) militant group fighting the conflict in Syria.

Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police have also identified several local people believed to be followers of the militant group.

However, the police chief declined to name them but promised to act when the time comes.

"We know who they are and will be coming after them," he told reporters after launching the Auxiliary Police Unit of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) here, today.

Khalid said based on police investigation, the members were influenced to join the militant group for 'jihad' (holy war) in war-torn Syria.

"Young people became followers as they were easily influenced. Sometimes, it wasn't for the money. They were thrilled by sponsored trips to join Islamic State (IS) militants.

Khalid said those responsible for recruiting Malaysians as militant group members operated in a network.

"The recruitment of members was done via a third or fourth country. They used a network of friends in Turkey and several countries to facilitate the flow of members into Syria.

"Police are closely monitoring the situation and will arrest them before they leave the country. We don't want our young people to return home without limbs in the name of jihad," he added.

Yesterday, the police revealed that 14 people were arrested, including three main recruiters, before their departure to join the IS militants in Syria.

With the latest arrests, the police had arrested 37 people believed to be involved with militant groups.