The police will work closely with Interpol to ensure the 132 Malaysian Islamic State militants now in Syria and Iraq do not return, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said this was to ensure the existing religious and racial harmony, unity and the country's stability was not threatened.

"Malaysians have all along been living in great unity and harmony although they came from different races and religions.

"They participate and enjoy each other festivities. This is the true Malaysian culture that we want to uphold and strengthen," he said when addressing a Chinese New Year gathering organised by the Kuching City South Council in Kuching today.

Islam, he said, is a religion of peace and not about killing the others particularly the non-Muslims which the IS militants propagated.

Zahid, who is also home minister, also urged the people not to allow the police to be alone in maintaining public security and order.

"That is why we have the community policing. This is to aid the police," he said.

Meanwhile, touching on the coming Sarawak state elections, Zahid appealed to the Chinese community to give the state leadership under (Chief Minister) Adenan Satem their fullest support.

"We must close the old chapters, the old books on all the previous state elections (where the community had supported the opposition in most urban seats).

"Adenan is certainly walking the talk in wanting the state to develop and prosper and in being fair to all races. The others they can only criticise but do not contributed anything meaningful," he added.

- Bernama