KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 ― Malaysia will not abandon its plan to open its doors to 3,000 Syrian refugees over the next three years because of the terrorist attacks last week in Paris, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said.

The deputy home minister acknowledged foreign media reports claiming that a Syrian refugee was involved in the attack but said the revelation should not be used to categorise all refugees from Syria as terrorists.

He gave his assurance, however, that before accepting these refugees, the government will conduct the necessary background checks.

“Let’s not taint all Syrian refugees in the same light.

“We assume they are not terrorists but we have to filter their background to ensure they pose no threat to the country if we decide to take them in,” he told reporters.

Last month, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York that Malaysia will open its doors to 3,000 Syrian migrants over the next three years to help alleviate the refugee crisis.

Roughly four million Syrian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries since a civil war broke out there in 2011.

Many have been victims of human trafficking trying to leave the war torn country.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein yesterday said that terrorist group Islamic State (IS) which claimed responsibility for the Paris shootouts and bombings has trained its sight on several Malaysian leaders.

News portal The Star Online quoted Hishamuddin saying that he had received a report over how the terrorist group had targeted known figures in the country.

“I confirmed that ISIS want to target our leaders including myself but it will not scare us or stop us in fighting terrorism, not only in the country but the region as well.

“The information or threat from ISIS was made before the joint Asean Defence Ministers meeting held at Langkawi in March where all 10 nation agreed a joint effort in fighting terrorism,” he was reported saying.

Two days ago, foreign media agencies reported that over 100 people were killed with more than 200 injured, in a well-coordinated attacks by seven gunmen on restaurants, a concert hall and a sports stadium in Paris.

Following the massacre, labelled as the most horrific terrorist attack in the country’s history, French President Francois Hollande announced a state of emergency immediately. 

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said that Malaysia would also be beefing up security at airports here, while Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said that the Malaysian police have been put on high alert and will be doubling security efforts in anticipation of this week’s Asean Summit.

According to The Star, Khalid said all police branches and divisions have increased vigilance to ensure the country remains secure.

He also reportedly said the police are reviewing the security arrangements for the summit to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center, which will see the likes of world leaders like United States President Barack Obama, Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia, Japan’s Shinzo Abe and China’s Xi Jinping, among others.