Terrorists want to kidnap Malaysian leaders to raise funds to spread and expand their extremist ideologies, a top police officer said today, days after authorities foiled an Islamic State plot to kidnap Prime Minister Najib Razak.
"The threat by Daesh (Islamic State) is serious, and the police will fight the group wherever they are, to ensure they do not spread propaganda in this country," Deputy Inspector-General of Police Noor Rashid Ibrahim said.
"These groups always want two things: To show their strength and funds.
"For that, they will do anything, including trying to kidnap VIPs," he told a press conference.
The country's Parliament was recently told that the IS was planning to kidnap the Prime Minister, his deputy and Defence Minister apart from launching several attacks at public places.
Malaysia in recent days has witnessed a steady increase in its nationals trying to go to Syria to join the IS.
