KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 ― Militant ideologies like those spread by global terror group Islamic State (IS) catch on in countries that are politically and economically weak, a police intelligence officer from Bukit Aman said today.
Deputy Superintendent Tan Kok Thean of the Special Branch sought to assure Malaysians that the authorities here are in still control of the situation, despite the first successful IS attack on the Movida pub in Puchong, Selangor in June.
“If a country is not stable politically or economically, IS will come in,” he was quoted by The Star Online telling a seminar titled “National Security and the threats from IS” in Sungai Siput, Perak.
He named Syria and Iraq as examples of two politically and economically unstable countries where IS teachings had spread, resulting in large-scale conflict.
Tan also said Malaysian police have experience combating Communist insurgents and would be able to cope with the new security threats.
“Malaysia is still able to control the situation. We have had dealt with threats since 1948,”he was quoted as saying.
He asked Malaysians to cooperate with the police to curb the spread of IS ideologies.
Reminding the public that such ideologies must be stopped, Tan reportedly urged the people to continue working with the police to combat terrorism and other threats.
The seminar was organised by Sungai Siput MCA, Gerakan and the Voluntary Security Association.
