KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara was yesterday told that poor religious education led to a handful of Malaysians to leave the country and join the Islamic State (IS) militant group.
Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the militant group misinterpreted Islamic teachings, especially the concept of jihad, the cleansing of sins and an easy route to heaven, to draw followers.
“These people believe that the only the IS militant group is capable of establishing an Islamic state in the radical mould,” he said replying to a question from Senator Datuk Lim Nget Yoon who asked for reasons why some Malaysians left to join the IS militant group.
Wan Junaidi said their hatred for western countries also encouraged this militant group to oppose the superpowers who were considered as the enemies of Islam.
“This group also claimed that international Islamic organisations have failed to protect the Muslim countries who are oppressed.
“This spur them to fight together the terrorist group,” he added.
Replying to a supplementary question from Senator Datuk Dr Johari Mat, he said a committee at ministry level should be formed to curb the spread of the extreme ideology.
“I feel there is a need for a committee at ministerial level to discuss the matter with the state religious authorities.”
Wan Junaidi said if the ideology was not curbed, more Malaysians would be encouraged to join the religious extremists, thus distorting their faith. — Bernama