Kuala Lumpur, Feb 21 (IANS): Over 130 Malaysians who are now in Syria and Iraq fighting for the Islamic State (IS) will be barred from returning home, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has said.
Zahid, who is also home minister, said on Saturday that the police are working with Interpol to ensure these militants do not come back to Malaysia, Xinhua reported.
"The decision to bar them from returning home is to safeguard the country's peace and stability," he said.
The deputy prime minister said there were 132 Malaysians in total who have been identified to be fighting for IS in Syria and Iraq.
"Malaysia belongs to all ethnic groups and we want to maintain peace and stability in the country. The prime minister has given his commitment that peace and harmony will be given priority," he said.