THE Defence Ministry is keeping an eye out for pro-Islamic State (IS) militants who had exited the Philippines after triggering a battle in Marawi, Philippines, which lasted months last year.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said this is due to the close proximity of Marawi with Sabah, and the government had received intelligence that the militants had broken into smaller groups and were resorting to crime.

“We were informed by intelligence through the tri-nation (Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines) ties that the remnants of the pro-IS militants had exited the Philippines.

“So, the money trail must be looked at and where the next possible place is that they may consolidate,”  he said to reporters after a goodwill programme with officers of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) at the Lok Kawi Camp near Putatan today.

Hishammuddin said the ministry did not rule out the possibility of the militants attempting to recruit new members, especially through the social media.

“As for the MAF, we will continue to work closely with all security agencies in the country to strengthen security control, especially at the country’s borders and ensure that no militants entered the country,” he said.

He also said that the ministry and MAF had a good plan and direction in ensuring that security in Sabah was preserved, and that MAF leaders and personnel were undivided in their commitment in the context of Sabah.

“This is especially important in the context of Sabah, where we have had to face the threat of a terrorist invasion in Lahad Datu. Anything that happens in the southern Philippines can have a direct effect on Sabah.

“The fraternity of the federal and state leaders, MAF and the ministry is vital in ensuring that the people and Sabah remain safe and can be defended,” he said.

Hishammuddin criticised Semporna MP Mohd Shafie Apdal, whom he said looked down at the capability of People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) personnel stationed in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone).

He said that if Shafie disagreed with the stationing of Rela personnel in eastern Sabah, the opposition leader could make a proposal to improve security in the area.

“We have the army and the police there. But Rela is another layer of support system that serves to help us secure the east coast and to make sure that what happened in Lahad Datu and Semporna doesn’t occur again,” he said.

Hishammuddin said that during the terrorist invasion of Lahad Datu in February 2013, Shafie was with the government and had never questioned the government’s move to step up security in the area. – Bernama, February 9, 2018.