Zahid: We’ll set up system to screen for militants

ULAANBAATAR (Mongolia): Ma­­lay­­­sia will implement the Adv­ance Passenger Screening System (APSS) to curb the influx of militants into the country.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the APSS would allow access to complete information on foreigners, including tourists, at their places of departure and entries in “real time”.

Via the APSS, data from Interpol, the Civil Aviation Department and the airlines will enable the authorities to detect false passports and travel documents.

“We are at the formality stage of implementation. Three quarters of countries in the world have implemented this system.

“We will bring it before the National Economic Council and the Cabinet to decide on the date of implementation,” he said after arriving here for the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) Summit.

On Wednesday, the Cabinet rejected a proposal by the National Security Council to implement visas for Middle Eastern citizens.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said it was un­­fair to impose the visa as travellers from the Middle East contribu­ted RM2.6bil to the country’s foreign exchange.

“Moreover, the Immigration Department had its own ways to curb the Daesh (IS) extremists,” he said, adding that the militants also came from neighbouring countries.

A total of 138 militants were detained in prisons and detention centres following police cooperation with Interpol and other agencies.

“They will be separated from the other prisoners and detained in a special block in Kamunting. This is to prevent them from influencing other prisoners,” he added.

On reports that Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division principal assistant director Datuk Ayob Khan received death threats from militants, Dr Ahmad Zahid said the Government was aware of the terrorists’ wanted list.

“We do not take it lightly and fo­­cus on the safety of individuals. The Special Branch will continue to mo­­nitor the situation,” he added. — Bernama