BEIJING: Malaysia is always on the frontline of combating terrorism with proactive actions against suspects having prevented possible threats in the country, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
Speaking at the China-Asean Ministerial Dialogue on Law Enforcement and Security Cooperation here, he said that since 2001, the authorities had arrested 391 militants linked to al-Qaeda, Jemaah Islamiah, Darul Islam, Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam and others.
A total of 128 people linked to jihad activities in Iraq and Syria were also captured.
“It is interesting to note that unlike previous recruitment which targeted individuals with religious background, current development suggests that people from all kinds of background who are willing to seek a shortcut to heaven are also included.
“They include jobless individuals and drug addicts.
“Others arrested were individuals in the Government as well as business and corporate sectors,” he said.
Nur Jazlan said 27 suspected members of the East Turkistan Islamic Movement had also been arrested in Malaysia, 23 of whom were deported to China, Canada and Turkey.
He said social media such as Facebook, WhatsApp and blogs were used to raise funds and spread extremist ideologies.
So far, RM50,000 has been transferred to the bank account of extremist groups in Syria to support the rebels’ fight and victims of the Syrian unrest.
“Radical websites by the al-Qaeda media wing that promote and disseminate militant doctrine, coupled with constant recruitment efforts by militant recruiters, have to a certain extent attracted and influenced young Malaysian homegrown jihadists,” he said.
However, he said the threat of terrorism in Malaysia was under control, adding that action taken had crippled the strength and capabilities of the militant cells.
“Further actions are in progress to identify and disrupt remaining members,” he said.
During the panel meeting, all leaders pledged to work hand-in-hand to combat threats, including terrorism and transnational crimes.
In his address, Chinese Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun proposed a bilateral and multilateral video call system between the security departments of China and Asean countries to facilitate closer cooperation.
He also announced that China would provide training and diploma education for 2,000 personnel from the law enforcement authorities from Asean countries
