20% varsity students Daesh 'sympathisers’

PETALING JAYA: Almost 20% of university students in Malaysia are known to be sympathetic towards the Islamic State (IS) or Daesh, based on a study done by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).
This figure was obtained from a research done on local students in four public universities, said UUM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak in a report carried by Utusan Malaysia today.
The four universities are Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and UUM.
"Although the research was only based on a small number and focused on local students, it was indeed worrying as it has the potential to influence others.
"Imagine if a bigger number of pupils, villagers and professionals held the same sentiment," he was quoted as saying by the Malay daily.
It was earlier revealed by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim that some students in both public and private universities in Malaysia have shown to have an inclination to support the militant group.
Mohamed Mustafa said university students found to be involved in terror-related activities should be handed to the police for investigation and counselling.
Meanwhile, National Student Representative Council president Farhan Khairudin said student leaders in all universities must be prepared to cooperate with the Home Ministry and the police by reporting such activities involving students.