NIBONG TEBAL: Malaysia’s fight against terrorism is not only focused on citizens from certain countries but in totality, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said.
He said the police’s focus was not solely on terrorists from Syria but also citizens of any countries with links to the Islamic State (IS), al-Qaeda, Boko Haram and other splinter groups.
He dismissed the notion that terrorists from Syria had choosen Malaysia for their terror activities following the country’s acceptance of Syrian refugees in the past.
“The truth is we are not only investigating the Syrians (for their links to terror activities) or citizens of any particular country, but anyone and everyone we suspect. We will take stern action.
“We do not want our country to be used as a transit point or a 'safe haven' for foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) in FTF countries.
“This is nothing out of the ordinary as the same measures are also being taken by other countries,” he said, adding that Malaysia would not tolerate any form of terrorism and extremism.
He said this after presenting Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara medals to 335 police officers and personnel in the state at the Seberang Prai Selatan district police headquarters, here, today.
A total of 1,100 in-service and retired officers and personnel have been chosen to receive the medal.
In a statement on Sunday, Mohamad Fuzi said six Egyptians and a Tunisian, suspected of being linked to Islamist militant groups abroad, had been deported despite protests from human rights groups, who said members of the group faced possible torture and persecution in Egypt.
The suspects included five people who allegedly confessed to being part of Egypt’s banned Muslim Brotherhood.
Meanwhile, commenting on news report about 17 Abu Sayyaf gunmen who were targeting kidnap victims in Sabah, Mohamad Fuzi said police had taken measures to address the problem.
“Since yesterday, Bukit Aman and the Sabah state police contingent have carried out operations to address the issue, and we have made several arrests with Abu Sayyaf elements.
“The operations are ongoing,” he said, adding that further details would be given at an appropriate time.