Looking out for the ex-militants
Police programme ensures former militant detainees don’t go back to their old ways.
KUALA LUMPUR: The close relationship between the police and over 500 former militant detainees in Malaysia have kept them from going back to their old ways.
Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division chief Deputy Comm Datuk Ayob Khan said although a handful had gone back to extremism, the majority of them were living a normal life.
“For instance, we have 239 former detainees who were linked to Jemaah Islamiah.
“Thanks to our programme and looking out for them, only seven have gone back to extremism,” he said after joining the annual breaking of fast on Saturday with 122 former militant detainees and their families who have rejoined society.
DCP Ayob said the event held since 2003, was part of their efforts to maintain close ties with every former detainee.
“We are with them every step of the way, from being detained and after being released.
“We visit them regularly, and they can contact us if they are facing any problem like financially or with finding employment. We will try to help them.
“The goal is to make sure they do not fall through the cracks and become isolated,” he said.
DCP Ayob also said 39 of the 65 Malaysians detained in Syria on suspicion of being involved in terrorism had contacted the police pleading for the government to bring them home.
He said of the 39, most were women and children who were currently located in the Al-Houl refugee camp.
“There are 11 women, 12 boys and six girls in the camp. As for the men, nine are being detained at Al Hasakah prison and one is in Idlib.
“However, this involves a lot of parties and we need to gather them in one place.
“We believe that this is only a small number of those who want to come back, and the number will increase,” he said, adding that all of them would be questioned and given counselling upon their return.
“The men will be arrested and questioned. As for the women and children, it will depend on their cases as they went there because they had to follow their husband,” he said.