Walk the talk, keep IS returnees out

I REFER to the report “Khalid: 50 who joined IS in Syria plan to return home” ( The Star, April 17).

The idea of letting the militants come back to Malaysia is stupefying. There would be the argument of where they would go if Malaysia bars their entry. I say let them lie on the bed they made!

The day they decided to participate in terrorist activities, they should have been stripped of their Malaysian citizenship. Their dogged determination to arm themselves to further the cause of an internationally condemned terrorist organisation speaks volumes of their hardened hearts.

Malaysians have for decades been subjected to the Internal Security Act, the constitutional requirement to respect the position of the Malays, and etc. Whether or not they obeyed out of preference is another matter but the fact is that they did abide by the laws to ensure continued security. I find it an utter mockery of the majority’s obedience if terrorists are allowed to set foot in Malaysia again.

Warning local students to not be influenced by extremist views of religion shared on the Internet is a great effort but has proven to be redundant.

Clearly, Malaysians are influenced by such views as otherwise, the 50 who are coming back won’t have left in the first place!

There is no evidence to show that they have repented and want to re-assimilate. It is known that IS thrives on deluding potential recruits. Having spent time with them, the 50 returning home might just have plans up their sleeves but are deluding our intelligence about their intentions.

Living just a few hours away from the recent Westminster attack, I think the risk Malaysia is taking is too big compared to the criticisms Malaysia may face for making the 50 stateless. Or perhaps, given the current mood of the world, Malaysia might just be lauded for being among the first few countries to walk the walk of giving terrorists no place in its society!