IPOH: Bukit Aman believes that the Islamic State is looking to recruit Chinese-Muslims after discovering a video on the Internet promoting its ideology.

Its Special Branch officer Deputy Supt Tan Kok Thean said the video, which was found earlier this year, featured religious songs sung in Chinese.

“Although no Malaysian Chinese has been found joining the militant group, we are still on high alert as such a recruitment drive is something we must not take lightly,” he said during a seminar on national security threats here yesterday.

The seminar was jointly organised by non-governmental organisation Gandingan Bersatu Malaysia and Persatuan Keselamatan Sukarela Menglembu Perak.

DSP Tan said 61 Malaysians had flown to Syria to join the fight against the Syrian military so far.

“Since 2001 to August this year, we have arrested 550 people found to be involved in extremist activities,” he said.

He also said that Malaysians should not label laws introduced to protect this country – Sedition Act, Security Offences (Special Mea­sures) Act, Prevention of Crime Act and Prevention of Terrorism Act – as “draconian”.

“It’s wrong to say that. These laws are necessary to protect our country against national security threats like IS. If we don’t have them in place, militants will take advantage by carrying out bombings,” he said.

DSP Tan urged parents to be vigilant and keep their children under close watch as they were exposed to various influences online.

“We found a magazine available for download on the Internet that highlights IS’ latest activities.

“Social media can be a challenge for us, as the group is known to use social media platforms to recruit members especially those who are from the younger generation,” he said.

Saying that everyone had a role to play, DSP Tan appealed to the public to keep an eye out on militant-related threats.

“Please contact us if you find any militant publications,” he said.