Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution stated that the police require more time to carry out comprehensive and in-depth investigations into six youths suspected of being involved in "Daesh" (ISIS) ideological activities (including 3 minors).
According to Bernama, Saifuddin made this statement when commenting on the police invoking the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) to investigate the case during his attendance at the Kedah state-level Nuzul Al-Quran religious event and press conference on Friday night (March 6) in Sidam Kanan.
He said that although some human rights organizations have called on the police not to use SOSMA in cases involving minors, given that this case is connected to terrorism, a thorough investigation must be conducted.
He emphasized that in cases involving security threats and terrorism, the police certainly need a longer investigation period, especially if the case involves regional activities. The police must contact law enforcement agencies in neighboring countries to conduct background checks to verify information provided by intelligence agencies.
"Even if the suspect is only 17 or 18 years old, this process cannot be completed within just 2 or 3 days of detention."
He revealed that this arrest operation was the result of the Special Branch (Cawangan Khas) gathering intelligence over a long period, as well as monitoring activities on social media and various online applications.
He pointed out that the methods of spreading terrorist ideology are constantly evolving, and have even infiltrated media such as online games for dissemination. This indirectly exposes users to extremist ideologies; such influence may prompt individuals to support or join terrorist movements because they feel that current world realities are at odds with the ideologies they are exposed to via social media content.
He said that this situation is very dangerous for Malaysian society, which has long been characterized by racial harmony, cultural and religious diversity, and peaceful coexistence among all communities.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohamad Khalid recently confirmed that police conducted a special operation from February 14 for two consecutive days in the Klang Valley, Johor, Kedah, and Terengganu, resulting in the arrest of six youths aged between 16 and 21.