Let’s help police fight terrorism

THE news about Islamic State (IS) group militants planning to target non-Muslims on home soil has made Malaysians sit up. After all, this is peaceful Malaysia and threats of this kind will certainly draw some serious attention.

A 21-year-old suspect was arrested on Sept 8 in Bagan Serai, Perak, as he was in the midst of planning attacks in Malaysia and southern Thailand.

Acting on the orders of Malaysian militants in Syria, the man had even tried to make his own Improvised Explosive Device three times but failed, fortunately for us all.

The same man also attempted to get weapons from an arms smuggling ring but authorities caught up with him before he managed to get his hands on the deadly tools.

Let us not forget the obvious. Yes, hearing who the target is this time is definitely shocking.

But IS is a terror group after all and has always considered non-Muslims and even Muslims who do not share its extremist views of Islam its enemies.

These are militants who make full use of their false “jihad” cause to further their struggle of eliminating those who oppose them and to make sense of their acts of terror. These, of course, include carrying out bombings and lone-wolf attacks.

The IS attacks this year alone in several big cities, including Manchester and Jakarta, demonstrate the extent these militants would go to make their presence felt.

In fact, IS views the Malaysian Government as a secular government, which gives it grounds to plan attacks on political leaders and government officials, including the top brass of the Royal Malaysia Police.

Even the country’s top cop – the Inspector-General of Police – and the Prime Minister have been threatened by these militants.

But Malaysians have a sound defence mechanism – we are a hardy lot, and threats to our way of life should not weigh us down.

Instead of focusing on the fear of such attacks occurring on our home soil, Malaysians should rejoice that the country has largely been free of major terror attacks.

The Movida bombing incident last year was a terrible thing to happen in peaceful Malaysia but it was not as bad as it was planned to be.

Here, we acknowledge the sacrifice made by the our police force in safeguarding the country against every form of threat, including that of terrorism.

The police, especially the Counter Terrorism Division, have not only detained more than 278 militants since February 2013, but have also thwarted more than 15 terror plots.

The police put their lives on the line daily to ensure that we are able to go about our daily lives.

Malaysians look to the new IGP, Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, to lead in the fight against terrorism given his extensive experience in Special Branch and even the Counter Terrorism Task Force, as well as the new head of Special Branch – Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff – to spearhead the intelligence wing of the police.

Without much fanfare, the police have been on their feet. They need all the support they can get.

While we are confident that the authorities are on top of things, let us not take the country’s safety and security, something we have long enjoyed, for granted.

For all Malaysians to be safe, we have to stand behind our men and women in blue. They are the ones who deserve the glory for keeping the country safe.

This is not the time for panic or distress. The police have always done their part in combating terrorism but Malaysians must do theirs as well.

It is our duty to be alert and report suspicious activities or individuals if we come across any.

We must show them that we will not be cowed and that they will not get what they want.

Together, we can fight terrorism.