Malacca govt tells its citizens to be busybodies

MALACCA: The Malacca government wants busybodies. It is asking village headmen and residents association committee members to be on the lookout for any suspicious-looking individuals renting or moving into their areas as part of the state’s fight against the Islamic State (IS) threat.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron said his officials had alerted village security and welfare committees, besides residents associations, to become inquisitive neighbours.

“This will lead to quick intervention if the new neighbours are up to no good," he said yesterday.

Idris said the onus was on the locals to safeguard historical hotspots from any threats.

“Although reports from security forces have not indicated any impending attack, it’s better for all to be vigilant to prevent militants from entering our state,” he added.

Malacca has seen a number of IS sympathisers in the past.

Last year, State Education, Higher Learning, Science, Technology and Innovation committee chairman Datuk Wira Md Yunos Husin said several individuals including civil servants had been placed under the intelligence radar over IS links.

He was quoted as saying that the state government had received confidential reports from various intelligence bodies on these individuals and their leanings towards the militant group.

Malacca-born Muhamad Wanndy Muhamad Jedi from Durian Tunggal is said to be in Syria as part of the militant group. A video of the 25-year-old holding the body parts of a beheaded man went viral early last year.