KUALA LUMPUR, April 2 — Bukit Aman’s counter-terrorism director Datuk Ayub Khan Mydin admitted today that there are sympathisers of the terrorist group Islamic State (IS) in Islamic agencies and NGOs in the country.
He said police have already identified and are currently monitoring these agencies, but declined to reveal details on the matter as it is still under investigation.
“Yes we have identified these sympathisers and we are aware of them. We are monitoring and investigating this matter,” he said when asked about the existence of silent sympathisers of the IS in government agencies and NGOs.
Concerns have been raised over the lack of response by Malaysia’s Islamic authorities to the rise of extremist interpretations of Islam in recent years.
Moderate groups believe the government’s muted reaction to the problem have made Malaysia a breeding ground for radical Islamists, which can be seen in the growing number of Malaysians joining established militant groups like Jemaah Islamiyah and later the IS.
Some believe the reason why the Islamic authorities are silent about it is because some of its rank and files sympathise with the groups’ struggle.
Ayub said similarly, existing Islamic NGOs have also shown that they are sympathetic towards the IS.
“Instead of helping counter their influences they are sympathetic and this has contributed to the group’s attraction,” he told reporters after holding a special briefing on Islamic extremism in Malaysia and the threat of the IS.
Earlier today, the counter-terrorism director said evidence gathered so far of Malaysian involvement in the IS has led the police to believe that attacks by the group on Malaysian soil is imminent.
At the briefing Ayub said police intelligence have indicated that it “was just a matter of time” before an attack is launched.
Ayub said such threats necessitate stronger laws and he voiced his support for the recently-tabled Prevention of the Terrorism Act, a controversial law that allows for preventive detention.
“But if you think it’s not necessary then we cannot do anything… look at the evidence and good luck to Malaysia,” he said sarcastically.
The police have said that to date, 63 Malaysians have joined the IS to fight the Basyar government in Syria.
Police have also arrested many aspiring IS members en route to Syria in Malaysia, including dozens of girls.
Ayub revealed that the girls, aged between 15 to 27 years, had wanted to either marry IS fighters or become sex slaves, believing that they were performing “jihad” by providing sexual gratification to the male members of the group.
The police had earlier revealed that the IS is actively using social media sites like Facebook or self-start up webpages like “Quitter” to recruit or lure people worldwide to join their struggle.
The primary bait is the so-called promise that they will be guaranteed a place in heaven or syahid.
Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Datuk Ayub Khan Mydin as the Special Branch chief. The post is actually held by Datuk Akhil Bulat. Malay Mail Online apologises for the unintended error, which has since been corrected.
