Home Ministry: 167 M'sians involved in militant activities

KUALA LUMPUR: The police have detected 167 Malaysians who were involved with foreign militant activities since December, 2011, said the Home Ministry.
Of the total, about 39 are involved with the Islamic State (IS) in both Iraq and Syria, added the ministry in a written reply to a question by Dr Ko Chung Sen (DAP - Kampar) in the Dewan Raykat today.
However, the ministry did not disclose further details on those involved in IS as it could jeapodise police investigations.
The ministry also said it does not recognise any entity or organisation which have militant elements, adding that all organisations based in Malaysia needed to register with the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
It said the police was monitoring the activities of any individual or group suspected of threatening public order and security.
"If there is any evidence that they are involved with militant activities, action will be taken against them under the law, including the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001," it added.
The government, through the Immigration department, could blacklist those suspected of being involved in terrorist activities and also have their names in the immigration's security list to keep tabs of their movements through main entrances in the country, it said.
It also said the government was preparing a White Paper to inform the public on the threat posed by Malaysians involved in terrorism activities.