Malaysia arrests 14 suspected IS members

Malaysian police said Saturday that 14 were arrested across the country recently for suspected links to the Islamic State (IS).

The 14 suspects, including 13 men and one woman aged between 22 and 49, were arrested in counter-terrorism operations from May 17 to May 20 in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and several other states, following the arrest of 15 suspects in March, police said in a statement.

Eight were suspected of involvement in channeling funds to the IS militants and Abu Sayyaf terrorists in southern Philippines, said the police.

They were believed to be linked to a Malaysian joining IS in Syria, who is actively recruiting new militants in Malaysia and threatened to kill top officials including the prime minister.

Others were arrested for promoting IS ideology or planning joining IS in Syria.

Malaysian authorities estimated that dozens of Malaysians had joined IS in the Middle East, and has been on high alert over potential security threat.

Source: XINHUA