Malaysian police are keeping close tabs on militant leader Zainuri Kamaruddin, who is reportedly leading dozens of Malaysian and Indonesian Islamic State (Isis) fighters in Syria and is in a video claiming that the terror group has declared war on Malaysia.

“We know where he is and are monitoring his movements,” Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told the Malaysian media yesterday.

According to the purported Isis propaganda video, Mr Zainuri declared that he and those under him were part of a “righteous army” and that Isis fighters will one day bring the fight to Malaysia and Indonesia.

Mr Zainuri is well-known among Malaysian police. He was formerly a leader with the now defunct Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia, a terror group with links to the Taliban and was fighting to create an Islamic state comprising Malaysia, Indonesia and the Southern Philippines.

According to the New Straits Times, he had been jailed previously for possession of firearms and explosives. He left Malaysia for Syria in April 2014 to join Isis.

Mr Zahid said yesterday that the Malaysian authorities will continue to monitor the movement of suspected militants whether they are within the country or abroad.

“The existing laws such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 will ensure that those involved in terrorism do not get away scot-free,” he said in reference to the legislation, which deals with national security and public safety.

He also said the federal police Special Branch Counter Terrorism Unit will also monitor social media for postings related to terrorism.

The Malaysian authorities have been on high security alert after several militants launched an attack in Jakarta on Jan 14, and the police have foiled plans by individuals aiming to blow up strategic targets across the country.

Since January last year, Malaysia has arrested at least 160 people on suspicion of being involved in militant activities. AGENCIES