A Melaka man linked to the so-called IS militant group activities was said to have always kept his distance from local residents in Durian Tunggal here.

A neighbour, who wanted to be known only as Andy, said the man, who is the third of four siblings, was also believed to be a drug addict and a socialite.

"A neighbour had once rapped him for his social activities and drug addiction which were disturbing the local residents, but the advice was ignored.

"In fact, the neighbour was assaulted by the man's brother, causing other residents to feel afraid to say anything about him," Andy told reporters here today.

The man was also believed to be the owner of a Facebook page using the name of Abu Hamzah Al Fateh, who on Feb 22, uploaded a 30-second video clip showing a Syrian man beheaded by an Arab man after being charged as a Syrian Government spy.

The man and another Malaysian citizen from Gurun, Kedah, were believed to have been involved in the recording of the video.

Meanwhile, Bukit Aman Special Division Counter-Terrorism Unit chief assistant director, Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay confirmed that to date, there are 61 Malaysians believed to have left their respective homes to join the IS fight in Syria.