Don't publish photos of IS in uniform, carrying weapons, says Khalid

The inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has reminded the press not to publish photos of the Islamic State (IS), especially of their members and their children in uniform and carrying weapons.

This would only glorify the terrorist group, as well as inspire Malaysian youths to join them, he said.

“Let's not publish photos of them (IS) and their children in uniform, carrying weapons.

“All this will inspire our youths here to join them. Our youths like uniforms, so don't publish those photos and make them out to look like an awesome group.

“(We should) criticise them incessantly. Don’t give them the glorification because that is what they want,” he told reporters at the Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s Hari Raya open house at his official residence in Putrajaya today.

On June 28, there had been a grenade blast at a nightspot in Puchong, which the IGP had later confirmed contained elements of IS.

This makes that attack the first IS-linked attack in Malaysia.

There had also been increased terrorist attacks throughout the world in the previous month, which is considered the holiest month in Islam.

Meanwhile, Zahid said that there is concern over 300 followers of radical Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Bashir who had been imprisoned for terrorist activities and are about to be released from Indonesian prison.

However, he added that Indonesia and Malaysia share all information related to terrorism.

“With the cooperation of Indonesia’s immigration and Malaysia’s immigration department, we have exchanged information including their fingerprints and biometrics so that those who are released will not be able to slip into our country and influence those who are easily influenced by IS propaganda,” Zahid said. - Mkini