KUALA LUMPUR: Handshakes and “selfies” with politicians may be a challenge in regards to safety protocols once stringent security measures are implemented in the country, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Speaking at a press conference here Friday after the Umno supreme council meeting, the Prime Minister said safety issues need to be prioritised and given serious attention by all quarters before something worse happens.
"In Malaysia, things are very open, politicians are very informal and it is easy to get close to a leader.
"During open houses, the people want to shake hands and take selfies with us and this is the norm.
"Such is the practice and I don't want to change that, I just want to improve it (on security measures).
"If something worse happens, we are blamed, so we hope that people will understand if new security laws are tighter as the changes are required," said Najib, who is also Umno supreme council president.
According to him, the implementation of more stringent security measures was needed following the recent rise in terrorism and criminal acts.
"From kidnappings in the Sabah borders, to the smuggling of weapons at the Malaysia-Thailand border, and various acts of crime and murder - it is all so open, it has all been so brazenly done," he said.
Najib added that the most serious of all, would be the threat by the Islamic State (IS).
"This too has happened here and we have said before that Malaysia will not be an exception. Though the impact of the incident at the Movida nightclub was not as serious, it demands for everyone to improve the awareness on safety.
"The threat is real for all countries as their (IS) reach is very wide. So we need to assume the worst so that we can be prepared.
"We need to look at all safety measures, the operating procedures and guidelines to ensure that we can face this in a more prepared manner," he said.
Najib, however, did not say when the implementation of new security measures would take place, adding that discussions were ongoing.
Win a prize this Mother's Day by subscribing to our annual plan now! T&C applies.
