13 Malaysians seek to leave IS life in Syria

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 12 Mar 2019 5:59PM · 10 Comments

At least 102 Malaysians are known to have left the country to live in the Islamic State's so-called 'caliphate'. Some 40 were killed in fighting in Syria and Iraq, with nine of them being suicide bombers. – AFP pic, March 12, 2019.

POLICE are working with Syrian authorities to get home 13 Malaysians, who had joined the Islamic State in the Middle Eastern country, reports Al-Jazeera.

As the offensive by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces enters its final stage, more Malaysians are longing to return home, Special Branch counterterrorism unit head Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay was quoted as saying.

Returnees will be subjected to a background check and interrogation, and will be required to complete a one-month government-run rehabilitation programme.

“Not everyone will be detained, but all returnees will be interrogated,” said Ayob.

“We will conduct thorough checks on each returnee. We will bring in clerics and psychologists to evaluate their ideology and psychological make-up.

“We will compare intelligence that we received from friendly foreign services. If there is evidence that a returnee was involved in IS’ militant activities, he or she will be charged in court.”

To date, 11 Malaysians have returned home. Eight – all men – have been charged and convicted. The other three comprised one woman and two children, aged 3 and 5, said the report.

At least 102 Malaysians are known to have left the country to live in the terrorist group’s so-called “Islamic caliphate”. Some 40 were killed in fighting in Syria and Iraq, with nine of them being suicide bombers.

The authorities said 51 Malaysians remain in Syria, including 17 children.

Ayob said many Malaysians are sympathetic to the IS cause and are willing to fight for the group.

“We are keeping an eye on them.

“Those who cannot go to Syria are now setting their sights on Mindanao in southern Philippines, where militant groups have links to IS.”

One Malaysian who has had enough of the terror network is 29-year-old Lidia, who left for Syria with her infant son and husband in 2014.

Lidia’s father, a Johor-based businessman, said he received a call from his daughter, who wants to return home.

Lidia, along with thousands of wives and children of IS fighters, have fled to al-Hol camp as the “caliphate” crumbles. She is now awaiting repatriation.

“Let her experience under IS be a lesson to her,” said Lidia’s father.

“Now, it is proven that Malaysia is better than the ‘caliphate’. Now, she can make a comparison.” – March 12, 2019.

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Comments

  • When the IS members killed, maimed and decapitated innocent humans, the government and police wants to show sympathy? This is too much, throw them in prison to serve life sentences

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • Where is the justice for those killed by the IS?!

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • The AG must make a stand on the matter because it involves national security

    Posted 5 years ago by Kampung Boy · Reply

  • They could come back but would be under strict detention for life.

    Posted 5 years ago by Awang Bilis · Reply

  • Just for insulting Islam's prophet you get 10yrs 10mths, for murdering others including other Muslims all you're facing is counseling to get back into society?

    Posted 5 years ago by Xuz ZG · Reply

  • No no no....they chose to kill or die, they best for them is get one of them, strap him with explosive, have a group hug, yell whatever they want and blow themselves into heaven.

    Posted 5 years ago by Alphonz Jayaraman · Reply

  • PDRM stop being a hypocrite.!!!!! Chin Peng in his fight for ideology was not even granted to die and rest in his home land. Now we have terrorist but because they are saudara in religion they are welcome back. What nonsense is all these sympathy of rehabilitations. They are killers and murderers. Why should we accept any of this scumbag back to malaysia. We are totally against it. They should be shot on sight !!!!!!

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • They are prepared to fight for IS, then they should die with IS. Why should we accept back these bunch of terrorists?

    Posted 5 years ago by Rupert Lum · Reply

  • What!!!!!!! Why!!!!!!!! Bullshit RUBBISH. Do Malaysia need extremists they will CHANGE THATS BULLISH.

    Posted 5 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply

  • By going and fighting for IS, have they de facto renounced their Malaysian citizenship?

    Posted 5 years ago by Yoon Kok · Reply