BEIJING: Malaysia has deported 29 Chinese nationals for their suspected involvement in terrorist activities and ties to the Islamic State (IS).
Announcing this today (Wednesday), Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the terror suspects were apprehended by the police's anti-terror unit and are now under Chinese custody.
“They were caught before they could leave our nation’s borders, be it land, sea or air.”
He, however, did not disclose when the arrests were made.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said police identified the terror suspects based on biometrics data provided by their Chinese counterparts.
“These suspects are suspected IS militants who came to Malaysia via neighbouring countries, using fake passports.”
On a separate matter, Zahid said Malaysia has deported 416 Chinese nationals for their involvement in the so-called Macau Scam.
"The deportations were conducted from 2014 to June this year," he told reporters at China World Hotel here, today (Wednesday).
The scammers, he said, are currently serving time in Chinese prisons.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, who was present, said the Macau scam victims, comprising both Malaysians and Chinese nationals, lost RM500 million in total.
Zahid added that Meng Jianzhu, China's political and Legal Affairs Secretary and China Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun praised the Malaysian police force for its efforts in shutting down the scam.
The Chinese government, he said, has also offered additional equipment to strengthen Malaysia’s Counter Messaging Centre (CMC) to track down those involved in terror activities.
“The CMC will also be used to track down individuals who fund terrorism, including those who plan terror attacks in Malaysia, southern Thailand or southern Philippines.”