Rise in terrorism index not cause for concern, say cops

Malaysia's leap in ranking in the latest global terrorism index belies police effectiveness in nipping terrorism and militancy in the bud, the head of the country’s intelligence agency said.

"There have not been any terrorism attacks or bombings in Malaysia as the authorities always nabbed the suspects before they could do anything," Federal Special Branch Department director Datuk Seri Akhil Bulat said.

The police's track record in containing any terrorism threat spoke for itself, he said, stressing that despite the country’s 42-spot rise in the index, it was not cause for concern as militant activities in the country were under control.

In the latest index produced by the Institute of Economic and Peace, Malaysia climbed 42 places from 91st in the 2012 edition to 48th out of 162 countries.

"The 2014 Global Terrorism Index is not an important issue, what is pertinent is that police are taking action against Isis sympathisers and supporters," he told The Malaysian Insider.

Akhil said a substantial number of Malaysians have been arrested before they could travel to the Middle East to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (Isis) militants.

Akhil said one of the reasons why Malaysia’s ranking had gone up could be due to the freedom of movement in the country.

"We are a pragmatic country, a lot of foreigners come in and out of the country as we encourage tourism," said Akhil.

He also pointed out that those who had been arrested for attempting to join Isis or were supporting the militant group had been charged in court.

"Police did not simply arrest anyone. Many of those who were arrested had been investigated for a while before police moved in."

But he expressed disappointment over the repeal of the Internal Security Act 1960, saying it was an effective deterrent against militants.

Acknowledging that the ISA had been used against politicians, especially opposition figures, Akhil said the ISA was a vital weapon to fight terrorism.

"Look at our track record in the early 2000s when police arrested numerous Kumpulan Militan Malaysia members under the ISA.

"This was one of the most effective weapons in our arsenal to nip terrorists and militants in the bud before they could attempt bigger tasks."

Now that the ISA was no longer available, Akhil said the burden of proof lay with the police and it was a very difficult task.

"We are finding it difficult to charge these terrorists and militants in court as the burden of proof is on the police.

"For example, police need a law which compels telecommunication companies to keep recordings of old phone conversations for at least two years.”

Giving an example, Akhil explained: "Let’s say individual A talks to individual B and somewhere in their conversation, they reveal plans to bomb or attack a target.

"But when police approach the telecommunication companies several years later to obtain a recording of the conversation, we are told it has been erased."

Furthermore, Akhil said, human rights groups were opposed to such a proposal as they claimed it infringed on people's privacy.

"We are not trying to be Peeping Toms or to get a kick out of listening to intimate conversations. We are trying to safeguard the security of the country."

Akhil said when something happened and lives were lost, everyone pointed fingers at the authorities, especially the police.

"Look at the Jim Jones incident in 1978, or the Waco siege in 1993, or the Tokyo subway sarin attack in 1995," Akhil said, referring to incidents in South America, the United States and Japan, respectively.

"These are examples where detention without trial could have nipped the issue in the bud as it involved deviant sects or teachings."

"How are we supposed to please everyone? Our hands are tied, our most effective weapon (ISA) is no longer available," he said.

- TMI