GOVT READY TO DEAL WITH TERROR THREATS
Security committee set up to deal with attacks if they happen during event
THE government has increased security to deal with terror threats in the 29th Sea Games. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the National Security Council had issued a directive to establish a mechanism on crisis management.
He said to further enhance readiness, police had been collaborating with other government agencies to hold exercises in Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Langkawi, Kuala Terengganu and other locations here.
He said in April, the government had set up a High-Level Committee (HLC) for the Sea Games, which is promoted as Kuala Lumpur 2017 (KL2017).
Chaired by Zahid, who is also home minister, the HLC formed a KL2017 Anti-terrorism Task Force, which is helmed by the police with assistance from the armed forces.
The task force will respond if terror attacks occurred during the Sea Games.
Zahid called for public cooperation as it would be vital in dealing with terror attacks.
“The prime objective in crisis management is to solve it as fast as possible to save lives and properties. It is absolutely vital to prevent a crisis from happening within a crisis,” he said.
Police would deploy 12,000 personnel during the games to ensure safety and public order.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said they would be deployed at event venues as well as the accommodation of athletes and officials.
Khalid was speaking after attending the final exercise dubbed “Ex-Rimau” at the Royal Malaysian Police college in Cheras yesterday.
It was witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Zahid, Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein, National Security Council director-general Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
During yesterday’s exercise, the VIPs saw how police commandos stormed a bus “captured” by “gun-wielding terrorists”.
Alighting from helicopters and armoured vehicles, the terrorists were neutralised in a display of rapid assault. Explosions and gunfire were heard before the terrorists were dragged out of the bus and pinned to the ground.
The police commandos also demonstrated an airborne assault by six commandos using steerable parachutes after jumping off a helicopter.