137 Malaysians involved with IS held

KUALA LUMPUR: Security forces have apprehended 137 Malaysians who were involved with the Islamic State militant group, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Those arrested were either planning to leave the country or return as well as those who funded the group, he added.
"Action has been taken by the Home Ministry through the police, especially the counter-terrorism unit, with the cooperation of international intelligence agencies," Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, told a press conference at Parliament lobby today.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein warned on Monday that some IS fighters might be returning to their home countries if the current Mosul offensive by coalition forces in Iraq proves successful.
Ahmad Zahid said the government has prepared a list of those suspected of being involved in IS activities.
"We exchange intelligence information with other international agencies. I am assuring Malaysians that our agencies are prepared (in facing the situation) at airports and borders," he added.
He said Malaysia's security agencies were always monitoring the nation's entry points.
Ahmad Zahid also said Umno will leave it to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak on whether the party should support PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's bill to amend Act 355.
The Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Bill 2016 is one of the items to be debated as per the Parliament Order Paper.
He said it was within the Speaker's jurisdiction to decide on the bill's tabling.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid will be in Singapore to attend the Fifth Meeting of the Asean Ministers on Drugs for two days beginning tomorrow.