Government to issue White Paper on terror threat, says Zahid – Bernama

From the Malaysian Insider (Oct 28): Government to issue White Paper on terror threat, says Zahid – Bernama

The government is to issue a White Paper soon to inform the people of the threat of terrorism posed by certain Malaysian individuals, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. 

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said police statistics indicated that 167 Malaysians were involved in militant activities abroad since December 2001. In a written reply to a question from Dr Ko Chung Sen (DAP-Kampar), he said 39 of these people were involved in the so-called Islamic State militant group in Iraq and Syria.

"I do not propose to reveal details of their involvement for fear that this can interfere with the ongoing investigations by the police," he said.

Zahid said the government, through the Immigration Department, had blacklisted those suspected to be involved in militant activities by placing their names on the Security List so as to detect them at the main entry points of the country.

"The Royal Malaysia Police has forged close cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies to check these individuals. The efforts encompass continued cooperation as well as exchange of intelligence information, especially among the Asean countries," he said.

Zahid said the police were also conducting investigations on individuals or groups suspected to be a threat against security and public order. Should there be evidence of their involvement in militant activities, action would be taken against them under existing laws, including the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, he said.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the government constantly took various measures to strengthen security along the Sabah east coast.

The police worked closely with the armed forces to handle the situation, he said in a written reply to a question from Liew Chin Tong (DAP-Kluang). Hishammuddin said the armed forces had stationed its personnel in strategic locations to thwart any threat to security, not just from the Sulu militia.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/government-to-issue-white-paper-on-terror-threat-says-zahid-bernama