Social media main medium to recruit militant - Ayub Khan
Astro Awani
May 24, 2015 10:23 MYT
May 24, 2015 10:23 MYT
Ayub said the group has also managed to infiltrate young minds using Facebook and other social mediums.
Social media is still the main medium for Islamic State militants to widen their violent ideology and to recruit new members to join the group.
Bukit Aman Counter Terrorism division principal assistant director Datuk Ayub Khan Mydin Pitchay said despite the authorities efforts' to block the group’s activities, the militants are active online users and technology savvy.
Ayub said the group has also managed to infiltrate young minds using Facebook and other social mediums.
“In the social media context, we are facing big problems in controlling them online. When faced by restrictions from the authorities, they resort to using another alternative channel or medium,” he told reporters after delivering his speech on Islamic State militants at Masjid Kampung Rawa, Georgetown, Saturday.
“When the militant cannot use Youtube or Wechat for example, then they resort to another medium which cannot be controlled,” he said.
He said despite the arrests of those found to be involved with the IS militants, the police believe many others are still joining the militant group after being influenced by its ideologies.
He said this is why the people must always be given explanation on the issue.
He also commended the efforts by the religious departments in each state to provide explanation and talks to the people at mosques and surau.
“We are having war of ideologies and some things like concepts and hadis are best explained by the religious authorities because we the police have no authority over such matters,” he said.
Ayub said despite working with the Interpol, security issues are hindering efforts to enter the country.
He said so far, 63 Malaysians have been identified to be in Syria to join the militants there.