Malaysians joining terrorist groups masquerading as aid workers?

KUALA LUMPUR - Some Malaysians intending to join militant groups are masquerading themselves as aid workers with humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGO) said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

“While we try our best to put a stop to Malaysians getting involved in terrorist and militant activities, it is hard to track and identify those who are going to join such groups because they disguise themselves as aid workers with humanitarian NGOs,” he said in response to a question by Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (BN - Setiu) in Parliament Monday.

Previously, Home Minister Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said the Government was preparing to table a White Paper on Malaysians involved in extremist activities, such as the Islamic State (IS).

Dr Wan Junaidi also said that police would continue its intelligence monitoring towards those who were already suspected to be involved in acts of militancy.

“Police will arrest those suspected of terrorism who are still in Malaysia and take the appropriate action.

“We will also continue programs like seminars and forums in government agencies, public tertiary institutions and schools to create awareness and discourage people from joining terrorism or militant activities,” he added.

It was previously reported that 167 Malaysians were identified as being involved in militancy overseas since Dec 2001, of which 39 were with the IS in Iraq and Syria.