Malaysia revokes passports of 68 citizens linked to IS

Malaysia revoked the passports of 68 of its nationals, who have enlisted in the ranks of the Islamic State, or IS, in Syria and Iraq, and threatened legal action if they returned to the country, media reports said Monday.

“They no longer have travel documents as Malaysian citizens and if they return to our country legal action in line with the Immigration Act will be initiated against them,” said Home Minister Ahmad Zahid, reported The Star newspaper.

Zahid said the decision was taken by Prime Minister Najib Razak two weeks ago, following intelligence reports.

He added there would be no negotiations with these people as the government does not want “ideological criminals” in the country.

Zahid said two Malaysian families had sold off all their property in Malaysia before moving to Syria to join the IS, which employs them as sweepers and cleaners, and now want to return to Malaysia, but the government is unwilling to entertain people who betrayed the country and will not recognize them as Malaysians.

More than 220 jihadists have been detained in Malaysia since February 2013, and 132 Malaysians are fighting in the ranks of the IS on Iraqi and Syrian territory, according to the Malaysian Home Ministry.