New Zealand seeks help on deradicalisation of terrorists

PUTRAJAYA: New Zealand is seeking Malaysia’s expertise on the de­ra­­dicalisation programme for members of terror groups and extremists.

This is one of the requests put forward by Wellington apart from wanting to tap Putrajaya’s know­ledge in helping to counter cyber crime activities.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said New Zealand’s request is an acknow­ledgement of the Govern­ment’s efforts in fighting terror and extremism.

“We are happy to help New Zealand and any other country that wants to adopt this approach,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid after a courtesy call by Chris Finlayson, New Zea­land’s Attorney-General and minister in charge of security intelligence agencies yesterday.

Malaysia has formulated a special rehabilitation module known as the Integrated Deradicalisation Module for Terrorists.

The module has proven to be successful and has been translated into Arabic, English and French.

On bilateral ties, Dr Ahmad Zahid said Putrajaya and Wellington will be celebrating 60 years of diploma­tic relations and several programmes have been proposed to commemorate it.

Malaysia and New Zealand esta­blished diplomatic ties on Sept 25, 1957, and have since enjoyed close co-operation in many areas.