Passports of 68 Malaysians revoked for involvement with Daesh militants — DPM

0

KUALA SELANGOR: The government has revoked the passports of 68 Malaysians for involvement in Daesh militant activities abroad, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the passports were revoked two weeks ago after a directive was issued by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

“Now, they no longer have travel documents as Malaysian citizens. When they return (to Malaysia), legal action according to Immigration Act will be taken against them,” he told reporters after opening the Kuala Selangor Umno divisional delegates meeting here yesterday.

Earlier in his speech, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, said the Malaysian citizens whose passports had been revoked included two families from Shah Alam and Ipoh who had sold their houses, restaurant and cars to travel to Syria to join the Daesh militant group.

“These two families left everything and brought along their young children to Syria, purportedly to fight for ‘jihad’ (holy war) as a shortcut to heaven. From information which I received, they ended up as toilet cleaners and street sweepers. I was informed that they regretted their action and wanted to come back, but I do not want to compromise with those who betray the country,” he said. — Bernama