KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah said the spread of the militant threat and terrorist elements in the country should be given serious attention as they can lead to instability. 

The King said the security threat that jeopardised national prosperity was clear and should be tackled immediately.

"As such, I support the proactive action through the creation of the law and enhancing security assets to check extremist ideology and the spread of militant ideology," said Tuanku Abdul Halim at the opening of the First Meeting of the 13th Parliament at Parliament House, here today.

His Majesty said the setting up of the Border Security Agency was testimony of the government's commitment to improve infrastructure, assets and security requirements at the border, and to strengthen control by the security agencies along the national boundary.

Malaysia's participation in locating the Regional Message Interception Centre to fight terrorism and cross border crime and intensifying efforts to check human trafficking had received international recognition and assisted in improving the country's position in the Annual Report of the United States' (US) State Department on the issue of human trafficking. 

Also gracing the occasion was the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuan­ku Hajah Haminah.

Others present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Members of Parliament.  

In his speech, Tuanku Abdul Halim also reminded the people to always preserve harmony and to fight the attempts by a handful of people who played up racial sentiments and abused the social media to spread seditious sentiments, slander and extremist ideology which must be immediately tackled by the relevant agencies.

He said any delay in tackling issues concerning solidarity among the various races could lead to a bigger dispute.

Meanwhile, the King advised all the political leaders to stop politicking to achieve their own agenda as this had been going on for a long time to the extent of burdening the people and government.

He said political leaders should set a good example to the people and work together to churn out ideas that would benefit the people and country.

Tuanku Abdul Halim also called on everyone to uphold the country's constitutional democracy instead of trying to bring down one another which could destroy the nation.

"I call on the Honourable Members (of Parliament) and the whole population to unite and to love the nation by constantly showing your undivided loyalty to defend and protect the country.

"Avoid criticising the country to the international community," said the King.

Meanwhile, His Majesty called for measures to strengthen the religious institutions and efficiency in implementing laws on Islamic administration by immediately empowering the Syariah Courts. — Bernama