KUALA LUMPUR: The Special Measures Against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Bill 2015 was passed by the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
In winding-up the debate on the bill, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar gave the assurance that the act would only be used on those who were really suspected of committing an offence based on information obtained from the authorities.
“Not everyone who goes to the Philippines, Syria or Jordan and individuals from countries in turmoil will be accused of being involved in terrorism.
“Instead, only those who are suspected, and specifically, had training, and terrorist ideology would be the ones we will stop,” he said.
Among others, the bill will allow Malaysia to prevent and stop people from traveling to IS-conflict areas.
It is also aimed at preventing Malaysia from becoming a source country or transit point for those who want to join terrorist groups as well as preventing Malaysians from participating in any activities organised by such groups identified overseas.
The bill is among those proposed by the Home Ministry for the implementation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) 2015, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat last night.
Elaborating further, Wan Junaidi said the Home Ministry would intensify training and upgrade facilities at the Immigration Department such as the ‘Advanced Passenger Screening System (APSS)’ at all entry points in the country to ensure that the act is effectively implemented.
“We have identified some important equipment so that we have direct contact with the Interpol database to enable us to determine if a criminal plans to enter the country as early as when he buys the ticket overseas, and with this, they will be prevented from boarding the plane to this country,” he said. — Bernama