Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said preventive measures taken by the police, via its Violence Prevention Unit, also took into consideration other aspects, including those who studied at public and private institutions of higher learning, as well as those linked to political parties.
“The home ministry’s commitment is clear, and through the police, we will ensure that Malaysia will not be branded a terrorist or militant group training ground,” he told a media conference after attending a ministry monthly assembly here today.
He was commenting on allegations that IS was focusing on individuals with religious background for recruitment as fighters.
Ahmad Zahid said the police would closely monitor the movements of suspected individuals, including those planning to go to a certain country, using different routes.
Although the routes had been changed, the police would still be tracking their movements, he added.
Ahmad Zahid said the police would also liaise with Interpol to monitor and prevent any attempt to send funds to finance the activities of the militant group.
He also disclosed that 34 Malaysians were involved with the IS militant group in Syria where five were killed in battles.
Of the total, four were women married to individual militants, he said.
— BERNAMA