Fighting Terrorism: ISIL militants, families returning home to Malaysia

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02:36

The attacks in Sri Lanka have reminded the world of the Islamic State's presence, despite the fall of its last stronghold in Syria. Despite public concern, authorities in Malaysia are opting to bring Islamic State fighters and their families still stuck in Syria back home as Rian Maelzer reports from Kuala Lumpur.

A small hand grenade lobbed at a suburban pub with no fatalities, to date the only attack on Malaysian soil linked to Islamic State militant group.

Malaysian police have arrested around 350 people with links to terror groups, and have filed several other planned attacks.

More than 100 Malaysians traveled to Syria and Iraq to fight with Islamist militant groups there, with 37 killed.

RIAN MAELZER KUALA LUMPUR "Police say around four dozen Malaysians remain in Syria, including 17 children. 11 people have returned through official channels, with eight either facing charges or having been convicted of offences."

Malaysian authorities say they will allow the rest to return but that they will face mandatory rehabilitation, and if they were active combatants, jail. That will be of little comfort to many Malaysians.

KHEN HAN MING SECURITY CONSULTANT, JK ASSOCIATES "I think the general public opinion is that they are against it."

Though analysts say it's safer than risking them slipping back in under the radar.

FARLINA SAID SECURITY ANALYST, INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC & INTL. STUDIES, MALAYSIA "With the returnees, there is always the concern that you are actually increasing the risk, and in that sense, there is always the sense of vigilance that has to be kept intact. If you do not accept them in, if they are actually here and they are unmonitored that is a higher risk."

Analysts also point to other possible pluses.

KHEN HAN MING SECURITY CONSULTANT, JK ASSOCIATES "The threat of these extremist activities, extremist narratives, terrorism, they are evolving over time and by bringing them back we are able to gain valuable intelligence information, new modus operandi, how they operate, how they recruit, how they get to brainwash individuals into joining them."

It's unlikely most Malaysians will think such potential benefits outweigh the risks of allowing the militants and their families to return, especially in the wake of the Sri Lanka attacks. Rian Maelzer, CGTN, Kuala Lumpur.