MALAYSIA continues to be used as a hub for espionage activities, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said, attributing the situation to the country’s uncompromising position on global peace and its strong criticism of Israel’s actions.
The Home Minister said Malaysia’s clear stand on international security issues and its firm opposition to Israeli policies has made the nation a target.
“Our country is still a base for espionage. This is not a trivial matter – it includes Israel’s Mossad. We have established cases involving locals, students, civil servants and individuals.
“We have made arrests, brought people to court, some are currently on trial, and others are in remand,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
Saifuddin Nasution also revealed that security forces had recently foiled other threats, including the arrest of foreign nationals linked to terror cells.
“A few months ago, we again detained terrorist cells, including foreigners from Bangladesh,” he said, stressing the need for Parliament to debate security issues openly and responsibly.
Citing the government’s guiding principle of Maqasid Syariah (the higher objectives of Islamic law), the minister said matters of life, security, property and dignity are the guiding compass of the Madani administration.
Saifuddin Nasution addressed several recent incidents, including the death of teenager Zara Qairina Mahathir, the attack on the son of Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and the controversy over the Jalur Gemilang being flown upside down.
“On the flag issue, if there is wrongdoing, lodge a report and the police will investigate.
“If there is malicious intent, charges can be filed under the Emblems and Names Act or the Minor Offences Act.
“But blowing things out of proportion until it stirs unrest is not good for the nation’s atmosphere,” he said.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution stressed that Malaysia enjoys robust freedom of expression and assembly, noting that public gatherings continue to take place freely.
“If anyone says there is no freedom of speech here, that claim can easily be debunked,” he added.
Saifuddin Nasution also highlighted Malaysia’s positive trajectory in economic growth, inflation control and employment rates since the Madani government took office, saying the country was moving “in the right direction” while playing an active role in Asean, including recent peace facilitation efforts between Thailand and Cambodia.
