10 JI members arrested since early 2010 — IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police arrested 10 members of Jemaah Islamiah (JI), the Southeast Asian terror group, since early this year, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan.

KEEP IT UP: Musa presenting a certificate to Insp Fadzlin Irina Mahadi (right) during the federal police monthly assembly in Bukit Aman organised by the Special Branch. — Bernama photo

He said the 10 foreigners, who were remnants of JI, were trying to revive the movement’s struggle.

“The JI members who were harboured by locals were arrested at various locations since six months ago and banished from this country,” he told a press conference after attending the federal police monthly assembly in Bukit Aman, here, yesterday.

Musa said the JI members were trying to recruit 20 to 30 local university students and youths to take part in jihad or holy war abroad.

“This trend is very worrying as it shows that these militant elements have changed their tactics and strategies in recruiting new members, especially for jihad in other countries.”

He said JI tried to get youths to join them as these young people were attracted to calls for jihad through the ceramah (public talks) they attended.

“Police will monitor students attending any ceramah that can cause upheaval and threaten national security.

“We need to be careful with the ideology brought in by foreigners who are trying to gain the support of local students,” he added.

JI, the militant Islamic organisation, is dedicated to the establishment of an Islamic state in Southeast Asia incorporating Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, southern Thailand and southern Philippines.

Besides the 10 arrested as mentioned by Musa, 10 other individuals including nine foreigners were arrested under the Internal Security Act early this year as they were believed to have links with JI. — Bernama