Three Malaysians detained on suspicion of planning to join 'IS'

Three Malaysian nationals, including a husband and wife, were detained at the KL International Airport (KLIA) since Jan 7 on suspicion of planning to join the so-called IS militant group in Syria.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the three suspects, aged between 25 and 30, were detained by the Counter Terrorism Division of the Special Branch, Bukit Aman from Jan 7 until today.

"The first suspect was a former factory operator in the Klang Valley, the second was a former factory supervisor in Selangor, while the third is a housewife," he said in a statement today.

Khalid said the three suspects had previously been deported from Australia for abusing their tourist visa.

He said they were also suspected of recruiting and managing the despatch of three other Malaysian nationals to Syria through a third country previously.