KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The Communications and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) has established a Counter-Extremism Communications Committee in an effort to prevent the spread of Islamic State (IS) militant threats, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Jailani Johari.

Jailani, who also chairs the committee, said the ministry had worked closely with the Home Ministry (KDN) and Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) on the formation of the committee. "Cooperation with KDN, Jakim and all agencies under KKMM is vital because we need to give detailed explanation of Daesh threats to the society, especially the teenagers, as they are easily influenced by any viral information over the social media. "Through this collaboration KKMM has become a platform to disseminate  information which can explain the truth about Daesh,” he told reporters after the ‘Move The Heart’ empower ECER Hulu Terengganu seminar here today. Also present were Terengganu East Coast Economic Region (ECER) Development general manager Ahmad Fuad Sulaiman and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Centre for Continuing Education director Dr Mohd Adzim Khalili Rohini.

Jailani said a special meeting was held yesterday to discuss issues and detailed plans in restraining the spread and threats of IS militants. "So far we have been able to identify the methods deployed by Daesh militants in their attempt to attract the public, including using the social media and creating patriotic songs... but we have managed to trace them and blocked some of the websites. "We have not come up with a detailed explanation on Daesh militants to prevent the public from falling prey to their traps...but with the new committee we will make sure the spread of Daesh militant capabilities will be curtailed,” he said. The programme was attended by 300 parents and students from 10 selected schools. — Bernama