PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR GREATER ACTION AGAINST TERRORISM
1. “The latest terrorist outrages around the world demonstrate that the threat is real and growing. Hardly a day goes by without another atrocity. We are far from immune in Malaysia, as the first Daesh attack on us last month showed.
2. “This is why, following requests from the security forces, the Government introduced the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, the Special Measures against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and the National Security Council Act.
3. “We were criticised for passing these laws, including by some who fear mongered for political reasons. The National Security Council Act in particular has been deliberately misinterpreted. It is not the same as a declaration of national emergency – that power remains with His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong – and Parliament remains sitting with oversight on any security area declared.
4. “My government will never apologise for placing the safety and security of the Malaysian people first. These laws were necessary, and other countries have since followed our lead.
5. “I can assure Malaysians that the Government will continue to put all possible measures in place to protect you.
6. “Daesh and its cruel, perverted ideology have no place in Islam, nor in our peaceful, diverse and tolerant country.
7. “Now is the time for us to unite and play an even greater part alongside the world community in the fight against terrorism.”
DATO' SRI NAJIB TUN RAZAK
PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA
Important Notes:
1. The National Security Council Act, which comes into effect on 1st August 206, was passed by the Malaysian Parliament in December 2015.
2. Its purpose is to strengthen the coordination of intelligence, establish a swift response mechanism, and if it is in the interests of national security, to enable the establishment of a security area for six months – such as was necessary, for example, following the invasion of Malaysian territory at Lahad Datu in 2013.
3. Unlike under an official State of National Emergency, Parliament remains sitting, and has oversight over any security area that has been declared.
4. The Act states that “if resolutions are passed by both Houses of Parliament annulling the declaration, it shall cease to have effect.”
5. The National Security Council (NSC) consists of eight members, at least five of whom must be present to constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Council. The NSC has existed since 1971, and many other countries have similar bodies. The new Act is placing the NSC on a statutory basis for the first time.
6. As Chairman of the Council, the Prime Minister may revoke the declaration of a security area at any time during the six month period.
7. Further, the Act contains provisions for the protection of civilians and their property as and when they are covered by the establishment of a security area, and also sets limits on the actions of the security forces during that time.
8. All security forces tasked to operate in any declared security area are subject to the instructions and directives that are issued for the operation. While conducting the operation, the security forces also remain subject to the Acts that govern them.
ENDS