White Paper to combat Islamic State threat passed by Parliament

Parliament today approved the White Paper on combating the threat posed by Islamic State, with a promise to enact a new law to help prevent such threats in future, Bernama reported.

Winding up the debate on the motion this evening, Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamid said that the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act would stress on prevention, in addition to eradication of the existing threat.

"I also want to give an assurance that the government will not follow the laws of other nations to create an anti-terrorism act, although in reality six nations have drawn up such an act," he said.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia then approved the motion which was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, after receiving more ayes than nays.

According to Bernama, six Members of Parliament, three each from the Barisan Nasional (BN) and three from the opposition, debated the motion on the White Paper which explained the danger the Islamic State posed and the level of threat to national security.

The prime minister had informed Parliament that the new law to eradicate the involvement of Malaysians in militancy and terrorism, would be tabled at the next Dewan Rakyat sitting.

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.

"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.

The motion received the thumbs up from opposition MPs as well, led by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR-Permatang Pauh).

The defacto PKR chief said the new law must be firm in helping the government to tackle the problems of terrorism, and not be used for political gain.

He also urged the government to explain militant activities more closely, especially on Islamic State.

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.

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