The Malaysian Insight

MALAYSIA has to tighten its visa process for those coming from conflict nations to keep unwanted elements such as terrorists at bay, said the police.

Bukit Aman’s Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division (E8) principal assistant director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said the police have in the past taken quick actions against unwanted elements.

He added the US has labelled Malaysia as a transit point for terrorists.

“There are no visa requirements for many countries, so their people, including terrorists, have easy access into Malaysia.

“However, since 2013, we have detained 38 foreign terrorists who had been here on transit.

“Some have been charged and some were deported,” he told reporters after speaking at the International Conference on Financial Crime and Terrorism Financing in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said the police are ready to counter any terror acts being planned in the country.

“Whoever they may be, from Arab or Egypt, we will detain them if they break our laws.”

Ayob also said radical but non-violent groups in Malaysia remain a security risk.

“There’s a thin line between these groups.

“For example, the Hizbut Tahrir. The followers are against the idea of democracy. What does that mean? That means they believe in something more extreme.

“We have to weigh (if they pose a security risk).” – November 5, 2019.