KUALA LUMPUR — Islamic militant groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), are targeting students in institutions of higher learning in Malaysia, a report said today (March 19).

Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division principal assistant director Senior Assistant Commissioner Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay was quoted by the New Straits Times (NST) as saying 61 Malaysians have been identified as being involved in three groups known as Jabhat A-Nusra, Ajnad Al-Sham and ISIS.

He said these groups would not spare young Malaysians, adding that police were trying to educate students by telling them that joining them was a “one-way ticket”.

“There is no way back unless they managed to get the help of the police here,” the NST quoted him as saying at a briefing on militancy at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) in Nilai, Negri Sembilan.

The report also said that there were those who changed their minds and wanted to return home but found it was difficult to do so.

“There are many more ways to get there, but you would not be allowed to leave once you are there,” Mr Ayob told the paper.

A greater concern for the police was what these recruits would do upon returning to Malaysia.

“We are worried that they may bring back the ideologies and become a threat to the public here,” he said.

Commenting on a recent video showing children carrying out militant activities, Mr Ayob told the NST that while they sounded Indonesian, he did not rule out the possibility that Malaysian children were also being lured to militant camps for youngsters.

According to the paper, recruits to militant groups were promised a monthly salary of US$2,000 (S$2,758) and accommodation. There was also a “no-return policy” unless allowed, the report said, citing information from returnees.

Mr Ayob urged family and friends of young people to be on alert for any signs in youths showing interest in joining militant groups. These signs included taking an interest in Isis activities, constant talk about the militant group and spending hours on social network sites. THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER