A total of 255 individuals suspected of having links with terror group Daish had been arrested in the country between 2013 and Oct 7, this year.

The Home Ministry said of the total, 221 were men and 34 women.

"A total of 140 individuals detained are under the age of 30, while the rest are above 30," the ministry said in a written reply distributed to the media at the Dewan Rakyat, today.

The ministry was replying to Er Teck Hwa (DAP-Bakri) who wanted to know the number of people arrested for their involvement with Daish.

According to the ministry, 121 people had been charged under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 while 36 individuals had action taken against them under the Prevention of Crime Act 1959, and 13 others under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015.

The statement added that 21 foreigners had been deported from Malaysia, while 64 individuals were released. -- BERNAMA