KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities will continue to be vigilant and monitor terrorist activities closely even though they are not rampant, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The Prime Minister said that such close monitoring and the arrests of people believed to be involved in terrorism showed how serious the authorities were in stopping militancy.
“We must constantly be on the lookout for such people so that we can stop them from carrying out terrorist activities, be it in the country or abroad.
“However, while we are vigilant and cautious, this does not mean that the probability of terror incidents occurring on our soil is high,” he told reporters after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting at PWTC here yesterday.
Police have so far arrested 23 people believed to be members of militant or terror groups.
The latest to be arrested were four people, including a woman, at KLIA, just as they were about to leave for Syria.
The Umno president said the authorities were also monitoring the involvement of Malaysians in terrorism abroad, including under the Islamic State banner.
He assured the public that police were “on the ball” and would not hesitate to act against suspected militants.
On Umno matters, he said three members from the Maran division had been sacked for breaching party regulations.
Mohd Zamri Mohd Sham was sacked for taking part in a PKR-organised ceramah, where he tarnished the party’s image.
Mohd Khiri Dahalan and Ahmad Shuhor Awang were given the boot for possessing dual membership, that of Umno and PKR.
“This dual membership among Umno members is not really a cause for concern and is an isolated incident.
“Nevertheless, we will not tolerate those who betray the party and will sack those who are guilty,” said Najib.
The supreme council also discussed the outcome of the Pengkalan Kubor by-election and congratulated Barisan Nasional and Umno elections director Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Kelantan Umno chief Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed for a job well done.
“We want to use the Pengkalan Kubor strategy as a template for future elections to ensure continuous victory for Barisan,” Najib said.
Barisan’s Mat Razi Mat Ail won with a majority of 2,635 votes in the Sept 25 polls, higher than the 1,736-vote majority recorded by the coalition in the 13th general election.
Related story:
It takes only one pro-Islamic State person to create chaos, says anti-terror cop
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
