Some 500 Facebook accounts used by IS, says Home Ministry

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 500 Facebook accounts have been found to be used by militant group Islamic State (IS), the Home Ministry told the Dewan Rakyat.
The ministry said that these accounts are being closely monitored by the police's cyber security unit with the cooperation and sharing of information with international intelligence agencies, including Interpol.
"Until now, there are some 100 Facebook accounts owned by individuals linked to IS which have been blocked by Facebook as it has links to violent activities," the ministry said in reply to a question by Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (BN-Sabak Bernam).
It added that the ministry and the police and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) are identifying and taking action against blogs or websites involved with the spread of IS' ideology, including blocking access to these sites.
"The government, through the police, always observes social media, which is usually used to spread militant teachings," the ministry said.
It added that police found that social media is often used by IS followers to spread their teaching and carry out recruitment.
"The use of social media fits the needs of the younger generation.
"This is because the medium is accessible, cheap and hard to be controlled," the ministry said.