NSC Act effective in safeguarding country: Najib

PUTRAJAYA: The National Security Council (NSC) Act has proven to be effective in safeguarding the country's security despite being widely criticised, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
"Although the act received criticism, especially from irresponsible parties, we are grateful that there is no negative impact after almost a year since its implementation.
"The NSC has succeeded in solving various security issues locally and internationally, such as the diplomatic tension with North Korea recently, which was solved well," he said in his speech at the launching of the National Security Policy Book at the Prime Minister's Office here.
The NSC Act, which was enforced in August last year, was panned by the opposition as they claimed the new legislation would provide absolute power to the prime minister in declaring a security zone.
The opposition argued the provision under the act would overlap with the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in declaring emergency in an area.
On the National Security Policy, Najib said the new guidelines would serve as the "overarching policy" and reference to any existing policies related to the country's security, such as the internal security policy or national defence policy.
He added the National Security Policy would become the main reference document to all state and federal agencies in formulating the existing policies.
He said improvements and modifications would be done accordingly to existing security policies if it is not consistent with the National Security Policy.
Najib said to ensure that the new policy would remain relevant in the everchanging global security landscape, the government had decided that the policy would be revised at least once every three years.
He also said the global security threats nowadays is asymmetrical in nature as it was unbalanced and involving non-state actors.
Despite the continuous threats, Najib said the efforts made by the government and security forces had allowed for Malaysia to retain its peace and harmony.
"Malaysia has been recognised and placed in the third spot among 193 nations in the Global Cybersecurity Index 2017.
"Furthermore, Malaysia retained its position as the third most peaceful country in Asia and the 23rd country out of 163 nations in the Global Peace Index 2017," he added, outlining several achievements made by the country in maintaining peace.