By Prashanth Parameswaran
Numbers could rise following investigations, the country’s home minister says.
Malaysia has detained 95 people with suspected links to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) thus far, the country’s national news agency Bernama reported Thursday, citing Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Zahid said that the number had been at 93 and increased to 95 following the tabling of a controversial anti-terrorism bill known as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) (seeThe Diplomat’s coverage here and here). He also added that Malaysian police were actively monitoring individuals and groups who may have such connections through various mediums including social media.
“We send out our intelligence team to monitor their activities … we cannot simply arrest them without investigating,” he said after attending the Ministry’s 2014 Excellent Service Awards.
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