KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 2 — Muslim nations must empower their security and law enforcement agencies with the necessary laws to combat the menace of the Islamic State (IS), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.
Calling the IS a “scourge” afflicting Muslim countries, Najib called on such nations to counter the terrorist group's propaganda and claims of representing Islam.
“We must oppose with all our might their attempts to indoctrinate our young people, and to take advantage of those on the margins or who have lost their way,” he said at the 12th World Islamic Economic Forum in Jakarta, Indonesia today.
“And we must ensure that appropriate legislation is in place to let our security and police forces take all measures necessary to stop attacks before they take place, and to root out those who would spread fear and chaos in our lands.”
Najib previously said his administration will not apologise for introducing controversial legislation that the authorities said was needed to address the growing threat of the IS in the country.
Among these is the National Security Council (NSC) Act which came into force yesterday.
The NSC Act was passed without express royal assent and gazetted without amendments despite the Conference of Rulers saying last February that some of the provisions should be refined.
Critics of the law maintain that it usurps the powers of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to declare emergencies as well as security areas, and invites abuse of power and civil liberties.
Malaysian police said the IS executed its first successful attack in the country in June, when a hand grenade was thrown into a Puchong bar, where it exploded and injured eight people.
