PUTRAJAYA: The Counter-Messaging Centre (CMC), aimed at combating terrorism, extremism and radicalism, has been fully operational for a month.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the CMC will not be working in silo but will coordinate with other relevant agencies.
“CMC has been operational since a month ago and we will coordinate with the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism, an agency under the Foreign Ministry, and we will also work together with the King Salman Centre for International Peace.
“The coordination is important to ensure that all information (regarding extremism and terrorism) can be channeled to Aseanpol and Interpol.
"This is also to ensure that when CMC obtains information on the suspect list, it can send the information for international alert,” he said after attending a People’s Volunteer Corps (Rela) kenduri on Wednesday.
Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said he was satisfied with the operation of the centre.
He said CMC has sufficient expertise in countering terrorism.
“All information received will be monitored to ensure that there are no elements of terrorism, extremism and militancy.
“The previous arrests of the suspects were the result of CMC before it became operational,” he said.
When asked on the success story of CMC, Zahid, however, declined comment.
On Nov 8, 2016, Zahid had said Malaysia has moved forward to counter the narratives of terrorists and extremists especially in cyberspace, by establishing the CMC.
He had said the centre, which has been manned by Malaysian police since September 2016, utilises studies to illustrate that the Islamic State struggle was not in accordance with the principles of Islam.