Probe into souvenir shop with a militant theme

PETALING JAYA: Bukit Aman is investigating a shop reportedly selling militant-themed merchandise in Bandar Baru Bangi.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said police would probe whether profits from the business were being used to fund terror activities.

“We will ascertain if there is any connection with the shop to known militant groups, especially Islamic State,” he said in an interview yesterday.

He said police were taking the matter seriously as the shop was also a form of propaganda for the militant group.

According to a Home Ministry source, the sale of such shirts or merchandise was an offence under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

MCA religious harmony bureau chairman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker urged the local authority in Bangi to take action against traders who sell merchandise promoting the Islamic State (IS) militant group.

“The merchandise bearing the IS emblem could be deemed as advocating violence and glorifying the movement.

“Islam is a peaceful religion and many people are crying foul that IS is giving the religion a bad name,” he said.

Ti, who is also MCA central committee member, said the local council under the Pakatan Rakyat government should not only propagate moderation but also follow up with action.

The Star reported that the shop in Bandar Baru Bangi had been selling militant-themed merchandise over the past three months.

The premises is filled with flags, T-shirts and caps, in addition to clothes bearing the symbols of militant groups, especially IS and the Taliban.

“I am doing this for Allah and if I am doing it for Him, I shouldn’t be afraid,” said the shopkeeper, a young Malaysian in his 20s, who declined to be named.