KUALA LUMPUR: The King Salman Centre for International Peace (KSCIP) has started its first day of operation here today.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the centre is now operating at a temporary office before moving to a permanent premise within the next two years.
"It was initially scheduled that the Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Prince Mohammed Salman Al Saud would launch the centre but due to unavoidable reasons, we are postponing the symbolic launch until after Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
"I'm glad to announce that we are now in the position to operationalise the centre," he said today after distributing 3,000 packs of bubur lambuk to the ministry's staff at its headquarters.
Hishammuddin said an announcement would be made to decide on the board of trustees for the centre.
He added that the KSCIP would be linked to the recently launched Global Centre for Combatting Extremist Ideology in Riyadh, which Malaysia had interest in.
"I believe this is the way forward. To fight terrorism through soft power, counter narrative and the winning of hearts and minds as opposed to just military initiatives."
In March, both Malaysia and Saudi Arabia had agreed to establish the centre in Malaysia, which would focus on combating extreme narratives.
Agencies concerned with the establishment were coordinated to complete the necessary arrangements to launch the centre within a 90-day deadline.