Keeping close watch on possible IS threats

> Militant group in retaliation following death of leader, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: We cannot take our eyes off possible threats as the Islamic State (IS) has a huge network in this region, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( pix) said yesterday.

He said the bombing attacks in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand are coordinated attacks by IS, adding that they are in retaliation following the recent death of an IS leader.

“The police anti-terror unit has been watching the movements of all those deemed to be a threat to the public. We cannot be complacent as terrorists can strike anytime and anywhere,” he said.

Citing the Manchester bombing, Ahmad Zahid said there are going to be several major events in the country and we must be ready to deal with and prevent any such incident from happening.

He hoped the public will cooperate with the police and any other government agencies in overcoming this threat.

Ahmad Zahid said they (PDRM) also exchanged information about terrorists with Asean police forces via Aseanapol and the police force also woks with European police, Interpol and other related agencies.

“We are on constant vigil at all our sea lanes and at land smuggling routes to prevent terrorists from using them. There are joint patrols with the armed forces.

“Malaysia has a tripartite agreement with the Philippines and Indonesia, this allows our forces to enter the waters or land of these two countries when in pursuit of terrorists or human traffickers,” Ahmad Zahid said when launching the “Big Splash Open Data” programme at University of Malaya.

The “Big Splash Open Data” allows the public to access information from government departments and agencies which are not deemed a “secret”.

Access to this data will also allow companies to come up with innovative applications that can be used by the public.

The deputy prime minister said in an attempt to thwart terrorists, police officers have been patrolling highly visible areas that are likely to be targeted by them.

“We have also identified a number of hotspots which are patrolled by plainclothes officers. The public may not notice them but they are there,” he said while refusing to name the locations or give the numbers.

He added by having police presence in such areas it makes it harder for the terrorists to strike.

On the issue of the Malaysian AntiCorruption Agency (MACC) going after opposition politicians after the general election, Ahmad Zahid said this is not true, adding that MACC will go after whoever is corrupt.

He said MACC will go after anyone irrespective of political affiliations.

He said MACC had arrested a number of Barisan Nasional politicians, with the latest being the Johor executive councillor Datuk Abdul Latif Bandi.