APRIL 8 — After the police announced the arrest of 17 suspected IS-linked militants who had planned to launch attacks in Kuala Lumpur, the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Bill (Pota) 2015 was passed without amendment at the Dewan Rakyat at about 2.25am yesterday.
When winding up the debate on the Bill, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed that the 17 arrested individuals had planned to attack police stations and army camps to obtain firearms. They were also suspected to be planning to kidnap several high profile individuals. Clearly, the Home Minister intended to convey a fact that terrorist attacks are not far away from us and they might take place in the country. Therefore, the implementation of Pota is imperative and urgent.
Historically, there have been terrorist attacks launched by religious fanatics in the country. On October 16, 1980, a police station in Batu Pahat, Johor was attacked by a group of Islamic extremists dressed in white robes. They slashed anyone they saw, killing 18 in the tragedy.
Another bloodshed incident took place on November 19, 1985. There was an outbreak of conflict when a large number of policemen surrounded a hut in the remote village of Memali to arrest a religious teacher preaching jihad and martyrdom, causing the deaths of four policemen and 14 villagers.
Many people might have forgotten about the incidents since they happened a very long time ago. However, we must always bear in mind that the incidents were closely related to historical background. In the 1980s, the Islamic revivalist movements had swept across the Middle East and Islamic countries. The then Islamic extremists were inspired by the success of Iran’s Islamic Revolution and a wave of Islamic movements was set off, and various religious terrorist activities were launched.
Currently, under the encouragement of IS militants, Islamic terrorist groups are now actively recruiting worldwide, while launching terrorist attacks from time to time. Malaysia, with a huge number of Muslims, has also become its target of recruiting and cultivating terrorists. All facts proved that our country is no longer only a transit point for terrorists, but has inevitably become a target of terrorist attacks.
Being aware of the urgency, the UK, Canada, Russia, Australia and other countries have recently amended respective anti-terrorism laws to more effectively prevent and combat terrorists, so does our country.
We understand that the alternative coalition opposes the Bill as it grants the police and counter-terrorism bureau the power to detain without trial. They opine that it might lead to injustice while worrying that the new anti-terrorist law might be used against dissidents, although it has been stated that the law should not be used against political opponents. However, based on the current situation, it is necessary and urgent for the implementation of Pota.
In the face of threats, preventing and combating terrorism must be a consensus of all peace-loving people who advocate harmony.
With the passing of the Bill, we hope that ruling and opposition lawmakers will play well their role of rigorous oversight, ensuring that it can protect the people, while taking human rights into account without being abused, and going against its original objective. — Sin Chew Daily
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
