PETALING JAYA: MALAYSIANS involved with militant groups abroad will be arrested and dealt with under the law, as soon as they step foot into the country.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the authorities had compiled their dossiers and were on high alert for a list of individuals, including those currently in Syria and Iraq.
He said the police were also working closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to monitor the recruitment drive of militant groups that was being carried out through the social media.
Zahid said at the same time, Kuala Lumpur was working to further enhance its intelligence on the involvement of Malaysians in militant groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Syam (ISIS).
He said this was also among policing areas that was discussed with United States Ambassador to Malaysia Joseph Y. Yun, yesterday, during the latter’s courtesy visit, here.
“Information has been collected, and if they step foot in Malaysia we will definitely nab them and charge them.
“We discussed this matter seriously as we don’t want to get any kind of “endorsement” from international militant organisations.
“The Royal Police of Malaysia is also tracking and gaining more information on the militants,” Zahid said, adding that the US had commended Malaysia’s seriousness in combating militancy.
Zahid said Malaysia was not the only country where people were recruited as “jihadhist”, saying that it was also happening in other countries.
“Right now this militant issue is taking place here, so we are addressing the issue,” he added.
It was reported that about 30 Malaysians had arrived in Iraq and Syria to join the ISIS group, which aim is to establish an Islamic state there and that their recruitment was carried out through among others, Facebook, as well as small religious discussion groups (usrah). This had apparently been going on for a few years.
The National Fatwa Council, which spoke on the same issue urged Malaysian Muslims to embrace moderation rather than extremes in opinions, when it involved pursuing the causes of fellow Muslims in other countries.
Its president Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said there were other better ‘jihad’ options, than getting involved in battles.
“When we talk about jihad, which involves taking up arms, a Muslim must first assess whether if it will benefit himself, the religion and the people they want to help.
“If the decision to fight battles only causes destruction, and does not bring any good or change to the situation, it is prohibited by Islam as Allah had warned against Muslims throwing themselves into the path destruction.
“In cases of battles and oppression involving Muslims overseas, like what we are seeing today, the ‘greater good’ option that Malaysian Muslims can opt for is by providing food those affected by famine, healthcare as well as education, so they could be alleviated from their sufferings,” he said.
Abdul Shukor said Islam also prohibited its followers from harming the innocent and destroying public properties, including through suicide bombings, which he added was not an act of martyrs.
Meanwhile, Zahid said he also discussed with Yun on resolving transnational crime issue between both countries, including on human trafficking where Malaysia is placed in Tier 2 of the United States’ Trafficking In Persons report by the United States.
(Tier 2 refers to countries which do not fully comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)’s minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards)
Zahid said he hoped to improve the country’s status through better enforcement, including by the Immigration Department and charge those involved in court.
Meanwhile, on the visa waiver for Malaysians visiting the US, Zahid said that a significant part of the arrangement had already been implemented.
Zahid said the goal was to conclude the visa waiver programme in 18 month, from the time US President Barack Obama visited Malaysia recently.
Some of the criteria for the programme cover the Malaysian passport safety features, background checks as well as the appointment of coordinators from Malaysia to address several issues and requirements.
He added that the visa waiver programme would be implemented in phases, starting with officials, business visitors, followed by tourists.
On the case of a navy personnel in Sandakan, Sabah who was arrested recently for his alleged involvement in militant activities Zahid said the government would not compromise even with members of the security forces if they were proven to be involved.
“We not only investigate foreigners and the general public but also personnel in enforcement agencies,” he said.
-NST
