KUALA LUMPUR (The Star/Asia News Network): An Indonesian man suspected of facilitating trips by fellow militants from Indonesia to Syria has been nabbed near Selangor.

He is among seven Indonesians, aged 25 to 35, arrested by Malaysian police's counter terrorism division for their alleged involvement in militancy.

The facilitator is believed to have connections with the Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf group's senior member Umar Patek, as well as the Al-Qaeda in Asia group.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the man and the six other Indonesians were picked up near Selangor on Dec 2. They included four women.

"They were arrested for the alleged involvement in militancy as well as for using Malaysia as a transit point before heading to Syria," Khalid said in a statement here on Monday.

Also detained were five children, aged between five months and five years. They are from three different families, the IGP said.

"The arrest of the Indonesian suspects was a joint effort involving the police as well as the global and regional intelligence and enforcement agencies," he said.

"The police are strict in handling issues pertaining to international militants who use Malaysia as a transit ground before heading to their third destination," he warned.