National security law effective: Najib

> ‘Despite drawing flak, it has safeguarded nation’

PUTRAJAYA: The National Security Council (NSC) Act has proven to be effective in safeguarding the country’s security despite being widely criticised, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.

“Although the Act received criticism, especially from irresponsible parties, we are grateful that there is no negative impact after almost a year since its implementation.

“The NSC has succeeded in solving various security issues locally and internationally, such as the diplomatic tension with North Korea recently,” he said in his speech at the launch of the National Security Policy Book at the Prime Minister’s Office here.

The NSC Act, which was enforced in August last year, was panned by the Opposition as they claimed the new legislation would provide absolute power to the prime minister in declaring a security zone.

The Opposition argued the provision under the Act would overlap with the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in declaring emergency in an area.

On the National Security Policy, Najib said the new guidelines would serve as the “overarching policy”.

The National Security Policy would become the main reference document to all state and federal agencies in formulating existing policies.

He said improvements and modifications would be done accordingly to existing security policies if they are not consistent with the National Security Policy.

Najib said to ensure that the new policy would remain relevant in the everchanging global security landscape, the government had decided that it would be revised at least once every three years.

The global security threats nowadays, he said, are asymmetrical in nature as they are unbalanced, involving non-state actors.

Despite the continuous threats, the efforts made by the government and security forces had enabled Malaysia to retain its peace and harmony, Najib said.

“Malaysia has been recognised and placed in the third spot among 193 nations in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2017.”

BERNAMAPIX Najib looking at the National Security Policy Book after the launch yesterday. With him are his deputy Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and National Security Council directorgeneral Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.

Ramlan (left) with Mohammed Reda after signing the agreement yesterday.