SHANGHAI, May 27 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has asked the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to redouble its surveillance and monitoring of online information to address any threat of terrorist activities.
Zahid, who is also the National Security Council deputy chairman, said his request comes after the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism's (SEARCCT) revelation that there are terrorist groups now using online video games to recruit youths to join their movement.
“Do not take (the matter) lightly, even though we know it (terrorist activity) is under control in Malaysia,” he said.
Zahid was speaking to the Malaysian press after the signing ceremony for a memorandum of understanding, memorandum of agreement, and letter of intent between several organisations today.
He is confident that PDRM, via its Special Branch Counter Terrorism Unit, can intensify monitoring of terrorist activities and then take appropriate action.
“It is not easy to monitor, but the PDRM has the ability to monitor, and of course, Aseanapol (Asean Police), by doubling their monitoring and surveillance programmes.
“We see this capability in line with the Pota (Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015), which was tabled when I served as the Home Minister before, and Pota will be fully used for the implementation of control so that strict monitoring can be carried out,” he said.
Zahid added that PDRM should consolidate efforts with the International Police (Interpol) so that they can be addressed comprehensively.
Apart from that, Malaysia has had a manual for deradicalisation for rehabilitation purposes since 2015, and the country has been very successful in implementing it.
“Malaysia also cooperates with many countries which do joint ventures, in addition to sharing manuals with many other countries, because we have wider experience when facing the communist threat in the 1940s to the late 1960s,” he said.
Malaysia has also established cooperation with counter-terrorism organisations at the international level as a joint effort to address the threat.
“We are ready to work with all countries which have the same training facilities and equipment and experience to combat terrorism, because this problem is not limited to a particular country, but rather throughout the world,” said Zahid.
— Bernama
