KUALA LUMPUR: The Defence Ministry today expressed hope that the King Salman Centre of International Peace (KSCIP) will serve as a central information exchange centre to assist the government against threats of terrorism.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein was answering a question at the Dewan Negara today to state the role of the centre in eliminating threats, including that posed by the Islamic State (IS) to the country.
"Never in history have terrorists been able to wave their flags in the region. They never used to be able to set foot in this region.
"What is happening in Marawi (in the Philippines) has gone beyond our expectations and has proven to us that we need to work together in handling this terror threat.
"What we thought could be solved within three to four days has become three to four months, and it is still ongoing," he said.
Hishammuddin noted that the current number of internally displaced persons in Marawi stands at 352,358, and urged neighbouring countries to help.
"We need to help them because they are in need of supplies to survive. What I'm worried about is that the terrorists will take advantage of their needs and try to recruit these people instead.
"It is the same with us. We need to stop politicising issues because the terrorists will use this to get to us. Sabah is not that far from Marawi and they are vulnerable to these militants. Stop all the politicking and start fixing the political divide," he said.
He also expressed concerns over the ever worsening situation and methods being adopted by terrorists in their activities.
"The situation is worrying as they are even using social media to recruit people. People being burnt and beheaded alive are being shown over YouTube, it is getting worse.
"Until today no one out there has been able to pinpoint a single method to handle the situation and it is evolving.
"With the centre (KSCIP) I hope that it will be able to collate information contributed by countries all over the world. This way, we can have a more holistic understanding on how to tackle the terrorists," he said.
Hishamuddin added that the existing joint-sea patrolling between Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia is one of the first in the world.
"This means that there are three representatives from respective countries are onboard vessels while patrolling is done.
"This can only be done with existing trustworthiness, sincerity and honesty shared between the countries.
"As I have mentioned, we will be launching the joint-air patrolling unit next month or October in Subang.
"This will include three countries' air force units in the joint-air patrols that will be done," he said.