Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian universities are
working closely with security agencies to check the spread of
terrorist ideology among students amid reports that Islamist
militants had infiltrated colleges to recruit youths.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Tun
Hussein Onn Malaysia's (UTHM) have said they will work closely
with the police to ensure that terrorist ideology does not
spread among the students.
The decision of the universities comes amid reports
that some foreigners aligned to the Islamist militant outfit
Jemaat Islamiah (JI) had infiltrated some colleges in a bid to
recruit students to join their 'Jihad' movement.
Prof Mohammad Tajudin Ninggal, UTM deputy
vice-chancellor, said the university would exchange
information with the police on matters relating to suspicious
activity among students, lecturers and other staff in the
university.
"There are about 20,000 students in the university,
and those with information on terrorist activities should come
forward and report it," he said, while commenting on reports
that JI was recruiting students from universities.
He said stern action would be taken against students
found to be involved in JI activities.
Prof Dr Mohd Noh Dalimin, the UTHM vice-chancellor,
said his university had also been working closely with the
police on this issue.
"We have only 8,300 students on campus, so it is much
easier to monitor their activities. We will keep an eye on the
students' blogs and websites," he said.
Home minister Hishammuddin Hussein last week aid
foreign militants groups are using Malaysia as their
operational base and for recruiting new activists.
Few weeks ago, it was reported that 10 members of JI
trying to recruit university students for "Jihad" (Holy Wars)
overseas had been apprehended by the police early this
year. Police said ten foreigners had since been deported.
JI has been linked to al-Qaeda and blamed for major
attacks in Southeast Asia, including the 2002 Bali bombings
that killed 202 people.
Two former JI members, who were recently arrested,
admitted that they were lured into thinking that violence and
chaos could help to champion the cause of Islam, Star
newspaper said today.
"If needed, we will not hesitate to block websites on
terrorist activities," Prof Ninggal said.
Noordin Mat Top, who was one of the region's most
wanted terrorists, was a former UTM lecturer. He was killed in
Indonesia on September 17 last year.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, June 22, 2010, 18:31