Over 50 Malaysians Want To Leave Daesh But Fear Being Killed - IGP

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- More than 50 Malaysians with the Daesh militant group in Syria and Iraq wish to return to Malaysia but fear death at the hands of fellow militants, said Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar. "They have pledged to serve Daesh and face death at the hands of fellow militants if they leave the group. "If they want to return to Malaysia, they must find their own way out. They are trapped. If there is a way, we will help because they are citizens of this country," he said. Khalid spoke to reporters after delivering a talk on 'National Security' to about 700 students and staff of the International Islamic University of Malaysia in Gombak Thursday. He said some of the Malaysians had torn up and burned their passports when they joined Daesh. Khalid also said that those who return to Malaysia after leaving Daesh in Syria and Iraq would not be exempted from penalty under Malaysian law. He said about 60 Malaysians were believed to have joined Daesh in Syria. "Fourteen of them were suicide bombers who reportedly died in Syria," he said. He also said that 260 Daesh members had been arrested and were serving out their sentence. IIUM president and socio-cultural advisor to the government Dr Rais Yatim and IIUM rector Prof Dr Zaleha Kamarudin also attended the talk. -- BERNAMA