KUALA LUMPUR: Espionage activities in Malaysia remain a persistent threat, with foreign intelligence agencies attempting to recruit locals for covert operations, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Aug 21), the Home Minister cited the case of private investigator Nidarahayu Zainal, who was arrested in October 2022 for allegedly working as an informant for Israel’s Mossad.
“She was accused of being paid RM100,000 to abduct two Palestinian men, Omar Albelbaisy and Mohamed Alhadad, in Kuala Lumpur on Sept 28 that year,” he said.
Nidarahayu was charged under Section 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Amla) and Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961.
She was later released on bail of RM50,000 in November 2024, with her trial at the Kuala Lumpur High Court still ongoing.
Saifuddin stressed that espionage was “not new” in Malaysia, recalling the 1981 arrest of a political secretary to the then deputy prime minister for being a Soviet KGB agent.
He said investigations revealed that foreign intelligence networks often relied on locals to monitor targets and provide logistical support, while others disguised themselves as tourists to justify photographing restricted sites.
“The police, particularly the Special Branch, continue to take proactive measures to counter espionage.
"These include public awareness campaigns, cyber intelligence enhancement, closer monitoring with the Immigration Department, and information-sharing with international partners such as Interpol and Aseanapol,” he said.
He added that suspects could face prosecution under various laws, including the Official Secrets Act 1972, the Penal Code, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012, Amla, the Immigration Act 1959/63, and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
“Malaysia will not compromise when it comes to threats against our sovereignty. Any attempt at espionage will be met with firm legal action,” Saifuddin stressed.
