13 M'sians connected to IS detained

KUALA LUMPUR: Thirteen individuals involved with Islamic State (IS) militant activities in Syria and Iraq were detained in Shah Alam yesterday.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (pix) said the group was picked up from a restaurant in Shah Alam after police learned of their plans on going to Syria and Iraq through Turkey.
"Initial investigations revealed that they had prepared to go to Syria and Iraq through Iran," added Khalid.
Prior to this, the police had warned the individuals involved after investigations indicated that they had plans to go to these countries.
The 13 individuals comprised of students, labourers and factory workers. They are being investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA).
It is learnt that the group has never been involved in militant activities before.
"We also have detected a few individuals who influenced our people to go there via Facebook and other websites.
"We collaborated with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to detect the individuals involved and also the websites recruiting Malaysians to join the IS militants," added Khalid.
He also said their findings revealed that Malaysians planning on joining the IS militants were self-funded and sponsored by their families.
"I am warning those who plan to go to Syria and Iraq to stop their plans and to help the police instead," said Khalid.