PM: Region must play bigger role in global fight against terror

PUTRAJAYA: Security agencies in the region must unite and play a bigger part alongside the global community to fight terrorism, said the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Islamic State (IS) and its cruel, twisted ideology had no place in Malaysia nor in the region.

The latest spate of terror-related incidents around the world is proof that terrorism is, if anything, an even greater threat that it has been in the past, he added.

Thus, we must increase cooperation between our security agencies, and to share and analyse the best practices on combating violent extremism, Najib said before launching the 36th Asean Chiefs of Police (Aseanapol) Conference here yesterday.

Malaysia has initiated the setting up of the Regional Digital Counter-Messaging Communications Centre in an effort to combat terrorism threats, added Najib.

He said the centre will synchronise efforts within Asean and beyond.

“It is vital that this centre utilises the studies that illustrate why there is nothing at all ‘Islamic’ about the state that shamefully declares itself as such.

“It is also vital that all authorities ensure that the message the centre puts out is solid, persuasive and real,” he said.

History at a glance: Najib accompanied by InspectorGeneral of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar being greeted by police personnel clad in uniforms worn by the force through the ages at the Aseanapol conference at the Marriot Hotel in Putrajaya.

He added that digital media was the new frontier on which the war against terror must be fought.

“It is the new battleground and its centrality cannot be overestimated.

“We must seize the opportunity to convince the world that Muslims have nothing to do with the ideology of hatred and destruction,” he said.

He said the Government had passed the Security Offences (Special Measures Act), the Special Measures against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the National Security Council Act because it placed the safety and security of its citizens first.

These laws were necessary and had aided the authorities in monitoring possible terrorists and IS sympathisers, and other countries have since been following Malaysia’s lead.

“We were criticised for passing some of these laws. But my Government will never apologise for placing the security and safety of the Malaysian people first.

“In our region, Jakarta was hit in January and I have said repeatedly that we are far from being immune to this danger in Malaysia,” he said.