Zahid: Deradicalised local militants to help combat Daesh

PUTRAJAYA: Deradicalised local militants will be deployed to help raise public awareness on the threat of terror attacks and persuade people under the influence of Daesh to cease their activities.
This was disclosed today by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pix).
He said their messages would be carried in the mass media and they would be taken to address students in tertiary institutions, seen as most vulnerable to the influence of militant groups.
"We will ask them (deradicalised militants) to work with the authorities to create awareness in the people and persuade those under the influence of Daesh to cease their activities," he told reporters when approached at the Aidilfitri open house of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and Cabinet Ministers at Seri Perdana here.
Ahmad Zahid said the authorities knew that militant groups had the strongest influence in tertiary institutions.
"This is not only in Malaysia but in other countries as well," he said.
He said the Home Ministry and the police were implementing several measures to prevent terror attacks similar to that at an entertainment outlet in Puchong, Selangor, on June 28.
"I wish to advise the people to be always on guard in any situation. We will never allow anyone who commits acts that threaten national security and public order to get off scot-free," he said.
He said the authorities would monitor actions inclined towards violence, particularly on social media and other communications systems, to prevent terror attacks in the country. — Bernama