Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines taking war against terror into cyberspace

(From right) Anifah, Cayetano and Marsudi during a trilateral meeting in security in Manila on June 22, 2017.

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines are taking their fight against terror to cyberspace.

The three countries have agreed to curb the spread of terrorism and related content on the Internet, particularly on social media.

The three South-East Asian nations also agreed to prevent and suppress the terrorist exploitation of information and communication technology and the dissemination of terrorist messages.

In a trilateral meeting on security in Manila Thursday, the three countries also said they would work towards stopping the flow of terrorist financing as part of their battle against militant activities in the region.

These were among the 15 points in a proposed plan of action the foreign ministers from the three countries agreed to.

Malaysia was represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, while Indonesia was represented by its foreign minister Retno Marsudi and the Philippines by its foreign affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

Also present were top security officials including Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, Armed Forces chief Jen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and National Security director General Tan Sri Datuk Sri Dr Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.

In a statement following the meeting, the three countries said other measures in the action plan include enhancing effort and cooperation in addressing the root causes and underlying conditions of extremism, including but not limited to poverty, narcotics or illegal drugs, crime and social injustice.