Nation's peace attributed to sacrifices of security forces: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: The peace that Malaysians enjoy today did not happen by accident, but because of the pre-emptive actions taken by the uniformed bodies.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said these are the sacrifices made by the uniformed forces to ensure Malaysia will continue to enjoy peace and harmony.
"We saw on television what happened in Manchester, Jakarta, Marawi ... thank god it doesn't happen here.
"This does not happen by accident. We enjoy peace because of the sacrifices made by our security forces.
"It's also because of the brave pre-emptive measures that we have taken," Najib said when launching the Ramadan Friendly Session with Uniformed Forces 2017 organised by Wanita Umno at the Putra World Trade Centre here.
Among the measures taken by the government was to introduce the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) and Prevention of Terrorism Act 2016 (POTA) where many had argued that the law enables detention without trial.
Najib also commended measures taken by the security forces which put Malaysia on the 29th spot of the 2017 Global Peace Index in its ranking of the most peaceful countries in the world.
Besides improving Malaysia's ranking last year, the country also came in fifth in the Asia Pacific region just after New Zealand, Japan, Australia and Singapore.
He reminded uniformed personnel to remain loyal to their leaders in performing their duties to ensure that peace could be safeguarded.
Najib recalled the Lahad Datu intrusion in 2013, where there was a "snitch" among the security personnel who leaked information to the enemies that led to the killing of some 10 security personnel.
"Somebody from the forces had betrayed their comrades and leaked some information to the enemies.
"And this has caused 10 people their lives. How can someone turn their back on their comrades," Najib said.
Meanwhile, the Ramadan Friendly Session with Uniformed Force 2017 organised by Wanita Umno has come to its ninth year.
This year, about 11,250 packs of contributions containing cookies and 'kain pelikat' were given to 13 uniformed bodies, namely the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM),Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), Road Transport Department (JPJ), Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Immigration Department Malaysia, The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), Prisons Department, Civil Defence Forces (APM), People's Volunteer Corps (Rela), The Malaysian Border Security Agency (Aksem), National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) and nurses from the Health Ministry.
Also present at the event was Defence Minister cum Special Functions Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.