EMPOWER YOUTHS WITH EDUCATION TO PREVENT EXTREMIST INFLUENCE - PM ANWAR

BUKIT MERTAJAM, March 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for youths to be strengthened through education, clear guidance and awareness to prevent them from being influenced by extremist ideologies linked to the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

He said this followed the emergence of a small group of youths aged between 18 and 19 who were found to have been influenced by external elements promoting the establishment of IS.

“Yesterday, the Inspector-General of Police (Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail) issued a statement about a group of youths who were influenced by external incitement linked to ISIS, which promotes the establishment of an Islamic State and teaches bomb-making.

“I am grateful that the situation remains under control and that the police (PDRM) acted efficiently to identify them.

“However, we must not become complacent. Our children must be equipped with knowledge, clear guidance and awareness as without a strong knowledge foundation they can easily be influenced by external elements,” he said when officiating the opening of Masjid Mengkuang Titi in Permatang Pauh and the Nuzul Quran celebration here today.

Also present were Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Earlier, PDRM foiled an attempt to revive the Islamic State (IS) terrorist ideology in the country following the arrest of six teenagers, including three minors, in a recent special operation.

Mohd Khalid said the suspects, aged 16 to 21, were detained in a two-day Special Branch operation beginning Feb 14 in the Klang Valley, Johor, Kedah and Terengganu.

Investigations found that the suspects had pledged allegiance to IS leaders and were actively supporting the group by recruiting new members and possessing propaganda materials linked to the terrorist organisation.

More worrying, they were also planning attacks on strategic targets, including police stations, key government locations and public facilities in the country.

-- BERNAMA