New law proposed in White Paper tabled by Najib to combat militancy and terrorism

Putrajaya has proposed a new law against militancy and terrorism in the face of dangers posed by Malaysian Islamic State (Isis) fighters returning to spread militant idelogies in the country to be tabled at the next Parliament session.

In tabling the 19-page White Paper titled "Towards overcoming the threat of Islamic State", Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak mooted that a new law be enacted to combat, and take action against Malaysians involved in militant activities and terrorist groups overseas.

At the same time, existing anti-terrorism and militancy laws like Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), Prevention of Crime Act and the Penal Code should be bolstered, he said.

"For cases involving militancy, current laws can be strenghtened to ensure the authorities are able to act more effectively.

"However, a specific law needs to be enacted when it comes to combating new threats such as Isis, especially when facing those who were in conflict zones and are returning to Malaysia," he said.

White Papers are documents produced by governments to obtain views or set details of future policies which will later be incorporated into future laws.

Najib said without any concrete action, the spread of Isis idelogies can cause chaos and conflict among the various races and religions in Malaysia.

Putrajaya, he said, cannot take the threat of Isis lightly as it has an impact on national security, and preventive measures need to be taken to prevent Malaysians from taking part in militant activities in conflict zones.

He warned if no action was taken, the militants, which have military and logistic expertise as well as ability to make explosives, can conduct lone attacks, set up Isis cells in the country and create a network with regional militant groups.

"The government's experience in combating radicalism and terrorism showed that it is rather hard to overcome their beliefs as they reject all other views," he said.

He also gave an overview and background of Isis which wants to set up an Islamic caliphate in the Middle East, including the threats posed by the terror group which he said, had influenced Malaysians into joining them to engage in a holy war.

"It is hoped that this White Paper is able to explain the dangers posed by Isis and the level of threat it posed towards the country.

"The involvement of Malaysians in militant activities in the name of Islam have tarnished the country's image and affected the purity of Islam.

"All citizens, regardless of race, religion and political leanings have to reject extreme ideologies and have confidence that the wasatiyyah or moderation concept is the best way to ensure the nation's peace and harmony," he said.

In stressing that Malaysia is committed to tackle the threat of terrorism with the international community, Najib said such cooperation will contribute to strenghtening national security.

"All these steps will strenghten government's efforts to tackle radicalism, extremism and any other terrorist activities," he added.

It was recently reported that at least five Isis militants had returned to Malaysia and that police had arrested three of them.

The arrests included a “tier one personality”, Mohamad Fauzi, known among his comrades as Abu Dayyan.

Last week, deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had said Malaysian Isis fighters were returning to spread militant ideology here.

He said police checks showed that those who returned were not driven by disillusionment or the desire to surrender to the Malaysian authorities, but to influence and recruit others.

“The police are monitoring and they know, those who opted to return are doing so because they want to influence other Malaysians to join their cause, regardless if they are Muslims or not."

As of November 13 this year, 39 Malaysians have been identified to be part of Isis in Syria and Iraq while another 40 has been arrested by the police, including those who had just returned from Syria.

Although 19 has been released due to lack of evidence, the government has imposed restrictions on them travelling overseas and they are currently being monitored by the police.

The Malaysians fighting alongside Isis forces in the Middle East were influenced to take up the struggle via social media, intelligence sources had said previously.

Some, like former Kedah PAS Youth information chief Lotfi Ariffin who was killed in Syria, had not only posted about his activities with the militants on Facebook, but had issued call-to-action messages, too.

To date, five Malaysians have been killed in action in the Middle East. – November 26, 2014.