Security Bill can foil terrorism, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Security Council (NSC) Bill will help to counter any attempted terrorism in the country, says the Inspector-General of Police.

Although laws like the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), Prevention of Crimes Act (Poca) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) are adequate in countering terror-linked activities, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the NSC Bill, which was passed on Dec 23, would help strengthen the efforts.

“Of course we use all laws available in the country to foil these activities.

“The NSC has not been gazetted or used yet, but it will help, I believe,” he told reporters yesterday.

Khalid said Bukit Aman would continue being on high security alert following several terrorist-related incidents in the last few months, with the latest attack occurring in Jakarta.

“We will remain on high security alert to ensure the public are confident that the situation is under control.

“The public can play a role by reporting suspicious activities to us,” he advised.

On a separate matter, Khalid reminded all parties, including the media, not to publish news citing unverified sources, especially on terror-linked activities or the Islamic State (IS).

He said the matter was sensitive and not to be made fun of.

Contraband: Khalid (right) inspecting seized items from STING and NCID raids put on display at Bukit Aman during a press conference. Looking on is Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff (second from right). — Bernama"

“If I take action, I will also take action against online media for reporting news quoting unverified sources.

“Maybe your information is from a noodle seller, and it creates fear in people. Such behaviour is akin to spreading rumours,” he said.

Asked if such action from the police would apply also to ministers, Khalid replied “everybody”.

“Why are you trying to zero in on just a minister?

Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Adnan Tengku Mansor had announced a day earlier that popular tourist spots such as Bangsar, Publika and Bukit Bintang had been identified as possible targets for the terror groups. Police, however, have denied zeroing in on these places.

Khalid was speaking to reporters at Bukit Aman yesterday after the Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group (STING) and Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Inves­tigation Department (NCID) seized RM14.3mil worth of drugs in a series of raids around Negri Sembilan and Selangor.

A total of 11 individuals aged between 32 and 65 years, including two women, were arrested.

Khalid said the raids were conducted between 2.20pm on Sunday and 2.30am on Monday in Mantin, Nilai, Sungai Pelek, Kuala Kubu Baru and Puchong.

“We arrested 11 individuals and uncovered a drug lab used to process syabu and ecstasy pills.

“We seized three pistols, an air rifle, six magazines, 75 bullets and a hand grenade. We also confiscated drug-processing tools,” he told reporters.

Among the drugs seized were syabu, ecstasy pills and ephedrine. Police also confiscated jewellery, luxury watches, a motorcycle, eight cars and RM36,410 in cash.