M'sia to retain LTTE on list of terror groups, says Deputy Home Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will retain the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the list of terror groups since 2014, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said that the group was listed as such based on Section 66 B(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (AMLATFAPUAA 2001).

"This is because under Section 66B, the activities of any groups or individuals that could affect or destroy safety and public order must be stopped so their ideology will not spread in our country," he told William Leong Jee Keen (PH-Selayang), who asked why LTTE was still listed as a terrorist group although it had become inactive since 2009.

During Question Time, Ismail explained that based on the same act, authorities do not have to declassify the group although it had become inactive.

"This is because the Home Minister has the specific powers to retain LTTE under the same group of listed identities," he said.

He also noted that other countries such as India, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States have maintained LTTE as a terrorist group.

Asked to explain if the government would review such decisions as LTTE does not cause harm in Malaysia, Ismail said the Home Minister has the power to review the list every six months.

"It can be reviewed every six months. Please do not worry, because the government's aim is to preserve the country's security and public order," he added.

Some 12 individuals, including Negri Sembilan assemblyman P. Gunasekaran, were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and charged under Section 130 of the Penal Code for allegedly supporting terrorism and having links to LTTE.

However, on Feb 21, former Attorney General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas announced the decision to drop the case against the so-called “LTTE 12”, saying this was based on his discretionary powers under the Constitution after finding insufficient evidence that it would lead to a “no realistic prospect of conviction”.