Muslim youths in the country must guard themselves against falling under the influence of the militant group that called itself Islamic State, cautioned Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun.

The Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister said youths with a strong sense of 'jihad' (religious duty), could express their spiritual energy in many ways.

"They can help the needy, or combat social ills such as the drug menace. Or they can defend the country against intruders," she told reporters after launching a volunteer programme here Sunday.

On the programme, Azizah who is also Beaufort MP, said volunteers would be trained at the Malaysian Social Institute (MSI).

Meanwhile, MSI director Dr Al-Azmi Bakar said since January 2002 until August this year, 45,119 social media practitioners had undergone basic and advanced training at the institute.

"This year as at August, 1,038 participants have followed basic training and practical training through an outreach programme," he said.