Without disclosing the number of military personnel involved in the militant group, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said the ministry would not protect officers in the armed forces involved in such activities because the Daesh threat was a global threat.
“At present, the Armed Forces Religious Corps (Kagat) is given the role to monitor and ensure that no officers or personnel are influenced by Daesh,” he told reporters after officiating the 40th Pacific Armies Management Seminar (PAMS) here today.
He said the Daesh terrorists spread their propaganda and ideology through social media because it was easier to reach and influence many people.
Hishammuddin added concerted efforts to curb the spread of Daesh was being implemented, based on four approaches, namely “Strategise, Engage, Anticipate, Lead” (“SEAL”), with the involvement of various enforcement agencies.
In another development, Hishammuddin said he would be on a working visit to the United States on Wednesday to attend the US Asean Defence Ministers Meeting involving 10 Asean nations from Sept 29 to Oct 2.
“During the meeting, 10 Asean defence ministers will attend and meet with US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter,” he said.
Present at the PAMS seminar were Army Chief Gen Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and West Field Commander Lt Gen Zulkiple Kassim.
PAMS is a military seminar being held annually that involves 34 Asia Pacific countries, comprising senior military officers from the rank of Lt Col to Major Gen.
The four-day seminar is a discussion medium on military management and idea-sharing platform that looks at understanding among the countries involved.
Among the countries involved are the United States, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Fiji, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United Kingdom.