A screenshot of the pro-Islamic (IS) blog site warning militant recruits not to use Malaysia as a transit point to Syria.KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 ― A pro-Islamic State (IS) blog has warned militant recruits not to use Malaysia as a transit point to Syria because it is akin to “suicide” following the arrests of 12 Indonesians including five children last month.
The blog in question ― #Dustyfeet, run by a person named Abu Hud posted a note from an alleged supporter who had warned militants against using Turkey or Malaysia as a transit point to Syria.
“If Indonesian (sic) asks where they have to go through, please do not give advice to pass through Turkey or any place where they have to transit through Malaysia. because it is tantamount to suicide. Malaysia is not safe anymore,” said the notice.
The Star reported Deputy Inspector-General of Police Commissioner Seri Noor Rashid Ibrahim saying that while the counter-terrorism division hunted Malaysians trying to join IS, it kept an eye out for IS recruits of other nationalities.
“We are glad our efforts are showing results and are preventing militants from joining IS through Malaysia.
“We will continue our vigilance at all exit and entry points to ensure no one slips through our net,” he was quoted saying by The Star daily yesterday, adding that Bukit Aman was working with intelligence from neighbouring countries to enhance its security capabilities and effectiveness.
The same post on the blog also advised future IS fighters not to bring along any jihad-like materials- including books, videos and stickers as several Malaysians and Indonesians who were en route to Syria carrying such items were arrested.
The blog also answered several questions from its readers about the joining IS including duties of a sniper, what do they eat and alternative ways to travel to Turkey.
International air routes from Kuala Lumpur make it easy for anyone going from this region to reach Syria via Turkey, especially militants trying to avoid detection.
Several Indonesian IS recruits have masqueraded as Malaysians and travelled to Turkey while some Malaysian IS recruits have gone to Indonesia and then to Turkey, reported The Star.
The daily also quoted sources saying that the militants would probably switch to alternative routes such as via Brunei, Hong Kong, China and some European countries to get to Turkey and then Syria.
“The authorities discovered that Brunei was one alternative route used by Malaysian militants following an arrest last month.
“It is possible that Indonesian militants may be using the same route as well,” it reported.
Since February last year, the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division has arrested 51 suspected Malaysian militants.
Last month, 12 Indonesians ― including five children ― were arrested in Selangor during a large-scale operation. They were planning to fly from KL airport to Turkey and then to Syria.
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