KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities have been forced to send seven prison warders for de-radicalisation programmes after they fell under the influence of detainees involved in militant groups.
The alarming development has also prompted the Home Ministry to begin the process of isolating detainees held for militant activities, from regular prisoners to curb the spread of terror ideologies within Malaysia’s prisons.
Announcing this today, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the authorities have taken measures to address the problem.
“I know that this is news which will make everyone feel uncomfortable. However, this is not something we can deny and that we have addressed this problem,” Zahid told reporters after attending a Hari Raya gathering hosted by Deputy Home Minister Masir Kujat here.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said the government is pulling out all the stops in combating militant activities, including foiling the spread of its ideologies.
“That is why we have begun separating detainees with militant ideologies from regular prisoners to avoid the spread of such influences within prisons in the country,” said Zahid.
He said the ministry is also in the midst of refurbishing Taiping’s Kamunting prison. The prison will house Islamic State (IS) militant detainees and enable them to undergo de-radicalisation programmes, supervised by the Prison Department, police, Health Ministry as well as Islamic Religious Department and councils.
He expressed confidence in Malaysia’s ability to de-radicalise extremists, and that Malaysia has experience in de-radicalisation and rehabilitation.
Zahid said that to date, 261 Malaysians have been arrested for their suspected involvement in militant activities. Police have also identified a total of 63 Malaysians in Syria and Iraq enrolled by IS militant groups.