NEW YORK: Malaysia will not tolerate any form of violence and extremism committed in the name of Islam.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, made Malaysia's stand clear in face of the currently rampant violence demonstrated by the Islamic State (IS) fighters.
"Renounce your virulent creed of hate, violence and extremism and be guided back towards the righteous path, or face the consequences," Najib strongly warned when speaking at the Leaders' Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism at the United Nations.
The Summit was hosted by US President, Barack Obama and Vice-President, Joe Biden.
Najib said Malaysia condemns the IS' blatant misrepresentation of Islamic teachings when they say the sadistic brutality, torture and murder of innocent men, women and children were justified in Islam.
He said as Chair of Asean this year, Malaysia is leading the region towards combating all forms of extremism, including the possible spreading of the IS beliefs in Southeast Asia.
Malaysia has made several arrests in recent months of people suspected of having inclination towards the IS.
"We must make pre-emptive arrests if necessary and if there is irrefutable evidence, to save innocent lives," Najib said.
It may not be obvious to many but Najib said Malaysia's law enforcement and security agencies have been working quietly to combat the menace.
Collaboration with international law enforcement agencies have been strengthened, especially in intelligence gathering.
So far, over 100 people have been detained in Malaysia for suspected links with the IS.
Najib said Malaysia was aware of the IS' influence being spread widely in cyberspace. He said Southeast Asian governments must come up with an organised strategy to counter the lies being spread by the IS online supposedly in the name of Islam.
He said Malaysia was actively exploring the possibility of establishing a regional digital counter-messaging communications centre to combat the IS efforts.
Najib called on Islamic leaders to tell the true story of moderation encouraged by Islam to counter the barbarities that the extremists such as the IS perpetrates.
"We will not allow imposters to besmirch the name of a religion which in its true form, if interpreted correctly, is light to mankind," he said.