KUALA LUMPUR: Police are keeping track of Malaysians being recruited by Islamic State militants and monitoring their movements.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said those looking to join the terrorist group in its fight in the Middle East have been identified.
“We know who they are.
“We also know that they plan to enter Syria and Iraq by travelling to a neighbouring country first,” he said.
He was speaking to reporters after the handing over of duties ceremony at Bukit Aman yesterday for the new Crime Prevention and Community Safety department director Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah and new Federal Internal Security and Public Order director Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Muhammad Fuad Abu Zarim.
Khalid said police have compiled a list of names of those looking to join IS and have notified Interpol and Asean Chiefs of Police (Aseanapol).
“We will arrest those who try to go there,” he said.
Meanwhile, Khalid said the investigating team was still unable to gain access to the downed Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crash site due to continued fighting in the region.
“There are 12 factions on the rebels’ side so it is difficult to maintain a ceasefire.
“Just this morning, there was a skirmish in one of the airports there and three people died,” he said.
Khalid said the investigation team, including the Dutch and Australians, have agreed to put off trying to access the crash site until spring next year, which is in April.
“In the meantime, the Ukrainian authorities have been handing out pamphlets to the villagers in the area, urging them to return all the passengers’ belongings and remains,” he said.
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