KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 — Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar affirmed in Parliament today that 39 Malaysians have left the country to join the violent militant Islamic State (IS) in Syria and the Middle East, but stressed that none were from Sabah or Sarawak.

He also said Malaysian IS members have returned home to recruit more members to join the fight taking place abroad.

“We have detected 39 Malaysians who joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS),” Wan Junaidi told Parliament during Question Time, using the Islamic State’s alternate name.

“However, there is no one from Sabah or Sarawak,” he added, without elaborating on the reason for that claim.

The IS, an offshoot from the al Qaeda terrorist group, has conducted beheadings and crucifixions in its military campaign in Syria and Iraq.

International newswire Reuters reported last month that Malaysian police have arrested three local IS recruiters who financed trips to Syria and used Facebook to attract young supporters.

According to Reuters, Malaysia has arrested 37 people linked to the IS, which Putrajaya has designated a terrorist group, since April.