ICC Note: The discovery of a number of Malaysians suspected of interest in, and support for, the Islamic State could indicate a growing Islamic militancy below the surface in that country.
By Al-Zaquan Amer Hamzah
08/20/2015 Malaysia (Reuters)
Malaysian police on Thursday said they had arrested and were investigating 10 Malaysians suspected of links to Islamic State, among them six members of the country’s security forces.
Although the Southeast Asian country has not seen any significant militant attacks, it has arrested nearly 100 citizens this year on suspicion of links to Islamic State. Authorities have identified 39 Malaysians in Syria and Iraq.
“They are suspected to be involved in activities to promote the Islamic State ideology,” police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement announcing the arrests.
These activities ranged from raising funds for the movement to recruiting Malaysians and planning to buy weapons for an attack in Malaysia, he added, but gave no details.
The suspects, who included two women and two civil servants, were arrested following an operation launched by the police anti-terrorism unit in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and five Malaysian states, the statement added.
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