Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has identified 16 Malaysians who allegedly fed information and conspired with militants in Marawi City in southern Philippines.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said he had already received the names and photographs of the 16 people.
"We also need to ensure the local traitors are dealt with. I have the names and pictures of the people, we believe they are cooperating with those criminals," he said in a reply to a question by Datuk Jumat Idris (BN - Sepanggar) in Parliament on Wednesday.
Jumat had asked on the security status of the part of Sabah bordering the Philippines due to the fighting in Marawi.
He added that the 16 are being hunted down.
Filipino military forces have been battling militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) in Marawi City since May, resulting in hundreds of thousands being displaced.
Asked if it was possible that those displaced would try to make their way into Malaysia through Sabah, Shahidan said it was a very long journey but did not rule out the possibility.
"Of course, we are considering the possibility that they will try to make the journey, and the necessary action will be taken if they do so," he said.
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