346 detained over IS links — Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Some 346 individuals linked to the Daesh (IS) terrorist group, including 95 Malaysians were detained up to October this year, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the Home Ministry also received information on 53 Malaysians involved in terrorist activities in Iraq and Syria with 34 of them dead.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said that to ensure Malaysia curbed the threat of terrorism, the authorities were constantly improving their methods of monitoring and cooperation with Interpol and other countries.

“The government is still not satisfied with our achievements in combating cross border crimes but we are confident with our cooperation, including with Interpol, this element of violence can be contained,” he said at the Dewan Rakyat sitting.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Tan Sri Annuar Musa (BN-Ketereh) on the government’s efforts to curb cross border crimes.

Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia forged partnership with neighbouring countries and Interpol to form information sharing networks as well as enhance intelligence networks to curb cross border crimes.

“We have also monitored the country’s entry points using the Advance Passenger Screening System (APSS) as well as in collaboration with the government of China in which both countries have successfully repatriated wanted criminals,” he said.

Meanwhile, on human trafficking crimes, he said Malaysia would always be committed in addressing the problem.

“The prosecution of human trafficking crimes have also increased from one person in 2014 to seven in 2015, 100 last year and 119 up to October 10. This shows our concern in addressing this issue,” he said.

Replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKRGombak) on whether the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) would seek Interpol’s assistance to track the whereabouts of businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, Ahmad Zahid said it had been forwarded to Interpol.

“We are very confident Interpol will act professionally and PDRM has yet to obtain detailed information on the individual,” he added. - Bernama