Malaysia on right track in fight against terrorism
GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia’s emphasis on human security has put the country on the right track in its fight against terror.
Aizat Training Service director Dr Ahmad Nazzan Abdullah said with more than 200 countries having experienced terror attacks, no country was spared from terrorism.
He, however, said good preventive laws, such as the Internal Security Act 1960, which was later replaced with the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015, had proven successful in the fight against terrorism.
“We also have a good de-radicalisation programme, where those who underwent the programme gave up extreme ideologies after two years.
“Also, proactive counterterrorism approach by our men in blue, networking, intelligence gathering, surveillance and preemptive raids have contributed to Malaysia’s success stories.”
Nazzan said this in his presentation titled “The Role of Human Security As A Bulwark Against Terrorism : The Malaysian Experience” at Universiti Sains Malaysia here on Thursday.
The talk was moderated by M. Afi Adli Hasnul.
Nazzan said there was no point in creating preventive laws and undertake such efforts after an attack had taken place.
He said political security, economic security and social security had contributed to the nation’s success in fighting terrorism.
“In Malaysia, people have their rights and freedom as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
“The economic wealth pie is also equally distributed among the races.
“We also have the social contract in place, something not available in many countries.
“This is why we have zero terrorist attack here in Malaysia... zero death and zero damage. We are successful,” he said.
To a question from the floor, Nazzan said terrorism should not be equated with Islam or any religion as no religion condoned violence.
“With new terrorism, terrorist organisations had brought religious ideology into their political ideology.
“Islam is against killing. Suicide bombers who do this in the name of jihad will not go to heaven. No religion supports the killing of innocent people. If you detonate a bomb and people die, that is murder,” he said.
Nazzan said despite Malaysia being relatively safe, the people should know about terrorism as everyone was affected one way or another.
He pointed out an example of this in that when one boarded a plane, they were subjected to stringent checks.
“All these are a result of terrorism,” he said.
He also advised students not to be easily influenced by extreme ideologies.
“This is because extreme ideologies will tell you that violence is the answer. Don’t become victims, as this is a one-way track.
“I had interviewed many of whom were sent to detention centres for de-radicalisation. They all regretted their actions,” he said.