©The Star (Used by permission)
PUTRAJAYA: The new law that will be drafted to combat threats of militancy will give the cops the necessary tools to combat terrorism, said Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
The Inspector–General of Police said such a law would be timely to effectively combat terrorism in the country.
“Other nations have special laws to deal with citizens who go abroad to join the militants and the threats they pose when they return.
“We need such a law,” he said.
Khalid vowed that Malaysia would never be used as a training ground or launching pad for the terrorists, especially the Islamic State (IS).
“We are on top of this situation and we are ready to face any threats.
“However, we need the necessary tools such as the new law to combat terrorism,” he told a press conference after launching the police’s green initiative seminar here yesterday.
Asked if the current Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division would be expanded with the introduction of the new law, Khalid said there was no necessity now.
“However, we will expand (the division) if the need arises,” he said.
It was reported that a new law would be drafted to combat the threats of militancy and Malaysians implicated in terror groups.
This is stated in the White Paper on tackling the Islamic State threat (Ke Arah Menangani Ancaman Kumpulan Islamic State) tabled by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Wednesday.
The White Paper stresses the need to strengthen existing laws, such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act and the Prevention of Crime Act and the Penal Code, to curb the threats.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters later a proposed Bill on this issue would be tabled at an emergency Parliament meeting next March.
Najib said the Government realised that laws were not enough to curb the ideology held by the IS.
He said the country’s youths as well as parents must reject IS ideology, which, he emphasised, could destroy the nation’s future.