KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — Putrajaya plans to address the growing threat of militancy in the country by going back to schools.

Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the government plans to carry out talks and seminars which will focus on the wrong teachings of militant groups at secondary schools and higher learning institutions.

“The demographics of those who join militant groups in Syria and Iraq is wide and although we are unable to narrow down to a specific group, there is a need to combat the issue from the source.

“Among locals who were detained for joining IS in the past include two 14-year-old school students to a housewife and also professionals and as such it is a challenge for us to say who will be next,” he said.

Wan Junaidi said a committee comprising officials from the Education Ministry and Menteri Besar throughout the country will be set up soon to ensure the programme is able to take off by this year.

“All state Mentri Besar will assist when it comes to state schools and also to engage with religious leaders in the state.”

He said officials from the home ministry and police with expertise on the subject matter will conduct the talks and seminars.

“Our talks will not be confined to Islamic schools and it will also be carried out in national schools and the focus would be Muslim students,” he said.

He however admitted, there might be issues with manpower as there are thousands of schools and higher learning institutions in the country.

“We will try and find a way to maneuver around this problem as we are determined to get the programme rolling within the next few months. 

“The talks are not only to educate the students, but also teachers and lecturers,” he said adding such talks were already held in mosques throughout the country.

Wan Junaidi said the setting up of the committee was mooted through information gathered by Interpol and local police intelligence following the detention of more than 92 Malaysians since 2013 who were allegedly involved in militant activities.

He said four factors had been identified as the reasons why Malaysians joined militant groups including their wrong interpretation of Islam and jihad, anger  against the West over a perceived suppression of Islam,  joining a militant group as a platform to protect the religion and those who joined were easily influenced by online recruitment drives by IS cyber troopers.

He said, analysis revealed anyone could fall into the persuasive method used by IS recruiters and therefore the approach had to be covered from every angle.

“The impression that Islamic schools (madrasah) are encouraging militant teachings are untrue. People are more prone to be influenced by IS recruitment via social media,” he said.

He added the public needs to exercise caution and not allow themselves to be duped into something they have no knowledge about.

“The Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) which was recently passed will also assist the authority to combat terror as it will empower the police to act faster, before a terror act could occur.

He said provisions under the Act will also allow the police to monitor communications of militant suspects and later use such evidence to detain those suspected in  terrorism activities.