ALERT OVER ‘TERROR GUARDS’
Arrests of guards with suspected link to terror groups a cause for concern
THE recent arrest of suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists here has prompted security companies to be more careful with who they employ.
Initial checks showed they were not hired by members of the Malaysia Security Services Association, but the arrest of 15 people in recent weeks, was cause for concern.
Its president, Datuk Seri Mustapa Ali, said the association was waiting for the police to provide information on the suspects and their employers, to confirm whether they were hired by security firms.
“Preliminary checks, based on the information I have so far, showed that the men were not employed by companies registered with the association but I do not want to confirm this yet. They could have been hired as house security guards.
“But if it is true that the suspects were hired by firms under us, then they will have to face the music from the Home Ministry.”
Fifteen suspected Abu Sayyaf terrorists were arrested in separate operations by the police Special Branch Counter-Terrorism division.
The latest saw seven suspected terrorists, all Filipinos, nabbed in a swoop here and in Selangor. This follows an earlier arrest of eight suspected terrorists in Cheras on Aug 30 after police got wind of possible attacks during the 29th Kuala Lumpur Sea Games and the 60th Merdeka celebration.
Mustapa said security firms risked stern action, including licence suspension, if they were found to have hired security guards without following the recommended vetting procedures and compulsory training provided through the Home Ministry.
Mustapa said although there were 800 security firms which were recognised and certified by the ministry, there were other security firms or service providers who operated privately.
“For instance, security guards who are hired by an apartment management body or a housing scheme’s residents’ association, are not registered under the ministry and they do not have to comply with the government’s vetting procedures.
“Some of these guards do not even have the basic knowledge and are simply hired for omnipresence purposes,” he said.
Mustapa said this was among the reasons why the association continuously stressed for all security firms, big or small, to be registered and regulated.
“The recent announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for security firms to carry out compulsory auditing starting next year is among the efforts undertaken by the ministry to ensure those in the profession are properly vetted and trained before being hired,” he said.