We’re not sorry for passing controversial laws: Najib

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the government will not apologise for introducing security laws such as the National Security Council Act despite receiving criticism by many quarters.
He said such laws were necessary to safeguard the country from the increasing threat of terrorism in the region.
“In our region, Jakarta was hit in January, and I have said repeatedly that we are far from immune to this danger in Malaysia.
“This is why the government passed the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act or Sosma, the Special Measures against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the National Security Council Act.
“We were criticised for passing some of these laws. But my government will never apologise for placing the safety and security of the Malaysian people first,” he said in his keynote address at the official opening of the 36th Aseanapol Conference 2016 at Marriot Hotel here.
Najib said many other countries have since followed Malaysia’s lead in their efforts to combat terrorism on their soil.
He however cautioned that any anti-terror measures the government puts in place would not be foolproof, citing the recent bombing on the Movida club in Puchong last month.
“Daesh (Islamic State) managed to carry out its first offensive in our country. Although eight people were injured, we are thankful no one was killed,” he said.
“I can assure you that the government will continue to put all necessary measures in place, and that the security forces are on a heightened state of alert,” he added.
Najib also called for the unity of police forces in the region in order to create a more effective force to combat the terrorism threat.
“Daesh and its cruel twisted ideology have no place in our peaceful, diverse and tolerant country, nor in our region,” he said.
Najib said Malaysia had initiated the establishment of the Regional Digital Counter-Messaging Communications Centre, which will synchronise efforts with other countries.
“It is vital that this centre utilises the studies that illustrate why there is nothing Islamic about the Islamic State that shamelessly declares itself as such,” he said.