PM Anwar Calls for Greater Youth Awareness After Recent Arrest of Teens Linked to IS

Young people need to be educated with sufficient knowledge, information, and awareness to prevent them from easily being influenced by extremist ideologies spread by external parties said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The prime minister added that without a strong foundation of knowledge, youths can easily be swayed by outside influences that promote violent ideologies.

According to him, the matter arose following a statement by the Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, regarding the emergence of a group of youths aged around 18 and 19 who are believed to have been influenced by the Islamic State (IS) ideology.

“This is because without a foundation of knowledge, they are easily influenced by external incitement,” he said in a speech on Saturday (7 March).

Situation remains under control

Commenting further, Anwar said he is grateful that the situation in the country remains under control thanks to the efficiency of the police in identifying threats early.

However, he reminded the public not to be complacent or take such threats lightly.