The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which was involved in decades of bloodshed in Sri Lanka, may have been defeated, but its ideology and sympathisers still exist around the world, says former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan.

Hence, the group’s ideology and supporters still pose a threat to any country, including Malaysia, Musa told Bernama in an exclusive interview here recently.

The LTTE, led by V Prabhakaran, started a separatist movement to create the Tamil Eelam autonomous region in the north of the island, claiming that the Sinhalese-majority group suppressed the Tamil minority in the country.

The LTTE terror campaign received moral support and funding from many, including the Tamil diaspora who sympathised with the Tamil community in the country.

Musa said the threat of the LTTE should not be taken lightly, as the United States and several other countries still list them as a terrorist group.

Recently, Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy received a barrage of criticism over his alleged involvement with the LTTE.

Ramasamy has denied this and said that he was only involved in peacemaking between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE.

Musa said in 2004 and 2005, the police arrested six Malaysians with professional backgrounds such as lawyers and accountants for their involvement with the LTTE.

“I received information from the Sri Lankan police then that the group was collecting funds and was assisted by our people, so we had to take action,” he said.

“It’s very likely that the LTTE ideology is still alive, similar to that of the communists, ideologies will not just disappear, and every extremist group is a threat to our country.

“Now, even though its (LTTE’s) leader Prabhakaran is dead, I believe their networks still exist,” he said.

- Bernama