“Many” terrorists are moving in and out of Malaysia, both of foreign and domestic origin, the Home Ministry disclosed today.
“They are mainly using Malaysia as a transit point... but not making Malaysia a target,” the minister, Hishammuddin Hussein ( left ), told a press conference at Parliament House.
However, Hishammuddin said, the danger to Malaysians is slight as the suspects are under constant surveillance by the authorities.
The authorities are prepared to pounce on them should they ever make Malaysia or Malaysians their target.
Should they be planning to target other countries, their government will be alerted, he said.
Investigations to date do not point to the terrorists making Malaysia a base for recruitment, Hishammuddin said.
He refused to disclose further information, citing the need for authorities to hold their cards close to their chest, so that those being watched will not change tactics.
Duo in Lebanon 'are terrorists'
Hishammuddin said this after disclosing that the two Malaysians arrested in Lebanon for alleged links to terrorism activities are indeed terrorists.
He said the duo had been under close surveillance by Malaysian authorities in cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies.
They were found to have clear links with the al-Qaeda terrorist network while in Malaysia and when moving around abroad.
The two - Razif Mohamad Ariffin (right) , 28, and Mohamad Razin Shahar Mustapha Kamal, 21 - were picked up by Lebanese authorities on suspicion of being involved with al-Qaeda and were held pending their trial before a military tribunal.
Hishammuddin said the authorities had been keeping information confidential so as not to tip off the duo.
However, the press coverage of the arrest led to a need to reassure Malaysians that they should not worry, as the police are on top of the situation, he added.