SOME 346 individuals linked to the Islamic State terrorist group, including 95 Malaysians, were detained up to October this year, said Deputy Prime Minister 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 reported dead.

Zahid, who is also home minister, said to curb the threat of terrorism on home soil, the authorities were constantly improving monitoring methods and cooperating with Interpol and other countries.

“The government is still unsatisfied 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 today.

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

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

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

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

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

Replying to a supplementary question from Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) on whether the Royal Malaysia Police would seek Interpol’s assistance to track down businessman Low Taek Jho or Jho Low, Zahid said it had been forwarded to Interpol.

“We are very confident Interpol will act professionally and the police has yet to obtain detailed information on the individual,” he said. – Bernama, October 23, 2017.