TERRORIST REHAB CENTRE IN TAIPING
THE Kamunting Detention Centre is undergoing ‘modifications’ so that it can be used to deradicalise terrorists. The deputy prime minister, however, says that ‘very dangerous’ terrorists will not be sent there.
ASPECIAL detention centre for rehabilitating and deradicalising terrorists is being set up at the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said yesterday.
“Modifications are being carried out at the centre to accommodate the deradicalisation programme.
“Concern was raised over those arrested for terrorism being sent there. (But) I assure (all) that this will not affect (and influence) the constituents (of Taiping).
“We are also monitoring prisoners and wardens for terrorism elements through consultation processes and cell isolation,” Zahid said in Hutan Melintang here.
Zahid, who is also the home minister, gave an assurance that terrorists or members of militant groups who were deemed “very dangerous” would be placed at another prison.
“I have received an objection letter from Taiping member of parliament (Nga Kor Ming), who was concerned over possible terror incidents occurring at the camp,” he said.
Zahid said the deradicalisation programme, implemented by the Home Ministry since 1948, had rehabilitated 97.5 per cent of 15,000 detainees.
The announcement follows the discovery that two former inmates of Tapah Prison had been recruiting new members for terror groups while serving time under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
“They were planning to create social unrest and disrupt harmony by attacking places of worship.
“Seven wardens from prisons nationwide were also identified (as being involved in terror recruitment activities) and are undergoing rehabilitation under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota).”
However, Zahid said, efforts to recruit prisoners had only been detected in Tapah Prison.
“The matter was resolved by separating the prisoners involved in such activities to different cells, so that the deradicalisation process could take place and prevent them from influencing other prisoners or prison officers,” he said.
On the individuals detained during an anti-terror operation earlier this month, Zahid said the arrests were made because there were elements suggesting they were out to cause social unrest and fear in the country.
“There are groups who want to destroy religious harmony in our country by burning and causing damage to houses of worship, such as mosques, temples and churches.
“Their goal is to give the impression that Malaysia is a country that does not practise freedom of religion and this issue should be tackled by police because we want to maintain religious harmony in this country,” said the Bagan Datuk member of parliament after presenting Deepavali aid to more than 800 people here.
On Saturday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun had said that eight men were arrested in Selangor, Sabah and Perak between Sept 27 and Oct 6 for alleged involvement in terrorist activities, including recruiting prisoners in Tapah Prison for a terrorist group and planning to launch attacks on Muslim, Christian and Hindu houses of worship to spark interreligious conflict.