KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 — The police are keeping tabs on a small group of students from private colleges who are believed to be promoting Islamic State (IS) ideology.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said its intelligence reports show the same group may even be recruiting members for the IS or Daesh as the global terror network is also known by its Arabic acronym, Utusan Malaysia reported today.

He added that the group of students actively uses social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube to promote their activities.

"Police observation on social media indicates that Daesh appeals to those with a problematic background like coming from broken families or with their own social or personal problems.

"We can see this from who pressed the 'like' or 'share' buttons on information about the IS," he was quoted saying.

He said the police are currently working together with private, public colleges and religious institution to contain the spread of IS ideologies.

"This is to educate them against believing that fighting for Daesh is promoting true Islam hence preventing them from joining the group," he said.