On the subject of increasing numbers of his countrymen waging jihad in Syria and Iraq, one prominent Malaysian cleric voicing concern is clear: all Muslims should avoid killing.

"This is a time for Muslims to rethink their decision before they depart for Syria," Kelantan Mufti Mohamad Shukri told Khabar Southeast Asia. "The conflict in Syria occurred among Muslims . It is not fair to call the movement a jihad.

"It is wrong to use Syria as a final battle. Syria is not a final battle. As good Muslims, we should help women and children and not add more suffering by supporting the war in the region," he added.

Malaysian intelligence officials estimate at least 30 Malaysians are currently fighting in the Middle East.

"It is a growing concern, not only for Malaysia but also other countries," Deputy Home Minister Wan Junaidi told reporters last month. "We are still continuing our investigation on the number of Malaysians killed in Syria , but also tightening security in our country as well.

Malaysian authorities arrested "a number of militants" before they could go to the Middle East, noting many of these suspects signed up for the militant cause through social media, he said.

Wan added Malaysian youths should be wary of calls for jihad via social media. "If you see any dangerous call posting through social media-- including YouTube-- please do call your closest authorities," he said.

Manipulated to fight

The case of Ahmad Tarmimi Maliki, who went to the Middle East for jihad, made headlines back home in Malaysia.

The alleged member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) Ahmad, 26, died May 26th while carrying out a suicide car bombing in Al-Anbar Province, Iraq, according to The Star newspaper.

A factory worker in Pahang, Tarmimi became radicalised after communicating with militants through social media.

Another alleged jihadist youth Mohammad Fadhlan Shahidi, 21, was recruited by his cleric Mohd Lotfi Ariffin, who regularly posted videos from Syria calling for jihad.

Malaysian youth can be lured into taking up arms for jihad because of charismatic leaders and issues in their own lives, said Elina Noor, a terrorism expert at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies in Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur resident Januar Jaffar takes measures to ensure his two teenagers won't join a faulty jihad, in part by staying in close communication with their teachers and by watching out for possible manipulation at the mosque.

"Our government has been monitoring this closely. Hopefully, in the near future this effort can give us good results," Januar said. "Other than that, it is also our responsibility as Malaysian citizens. We should look after each other."