Najib: Malaysia ready to help regional security

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia stands ready to actively contribute to regional security, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pic).

The Prime Minister said as the third party facilitator for the Southern Philippines Peace Process, Malaysia helped the participants reach the final peace agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Philippine government.

"The Bangsamoro Basic Law which follows from the agreement has been certified as urgent by President Duterte. He has also urged congress in Manila to fast track it.

Najib added that Malaysia has also been the facilitator to the Southern Thailand Peace Dialogue since 2013.

"Stability and peace in these areas will contribute to an environment which is conducive for economic development, making these areas and the whole region more secure," he said before launching the Putrajaya Forum entitled Recalibrating Regional Security Architecture held in conjunction with the Defence Services Asia and National Security Asia exhibition on Monday (April 16).

He said the very foundations of international security are weak when countries do not properly address the safety of their own people.

"In Malaysia, the Government had passed a number of laws, including the National Security Council Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act so that our citizens are protected and our security services are able to work freely.

"I make no apology for ensuring our police and security services have all the tools necessary to combat those who would bring death and destruction to our soil," he said.

So far, there has been only one successful Islamic State attack in Malaysia and since 2013, a total of 389 people have been arrested for IS links, added the Prime Minister.