Looking into a procedure for tackling radicalism

UK, US and Australian officials to be invited to help draw up standard procedures.

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Indonesia are to cooperate on measures to tackle radicalisation, with the Home Ministry to host an international workshop on deradicalisation in 2016.

The workshop is expected to be held in January and will come up with a standard operating procedure on handling radicalisation, said a statement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

“Besides Indonesia, other countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia will be invited to attend the workshop,” said the statement, issued in conjunction with the four-day working visit of Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to Indonesia.

The statement said Malaysia and Indonesia also discussed efforts to step up cooperation and exchange of intelligence information on anti-terrorism issues.

“Agreement was also reached at the bilateral discussions to establish regional cooperation in tackling the haze,” it said.

The statement said Indonesia agreed to tighten enforcement of laws pertaining to air pollution while Malaysia pledged to conduct monitoring to ensure that Malaysian government-linked companies operating in Indonesia did not contribute to the haze.

The annual clearing of forests by burning in Indonesia creates smog that affects several countries in the region, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The statement also touched on the issue of Indonesian illegal immigrants in Malaysia and said Malaysia had conducted an amnesty programme for these people, especially those who had permanent jobs and employers.

“The two countries will continue to cooperate in the issue of illegal immigrants,” it said, adding that the matter was viewed seriously by the two countries so as to avert incidents such as the recent capsize of a boat carrying Indonesian illegal immigrants.

The statement said the two countries also discussed common border issues as well as bilateral trade and the global economic situation.

It said Ahmad Zahid was also expected to meet Indonesia’s Manpower and Transmigration Minister Hanif M. Dhakiri and Home Minister Jahyo Kumolo.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, is scheduled to have a meeting with Malaysians in Indonesia at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta.

He has already held talks with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and called on Indonesian Vice President Jusof Kalla at the Vice Presidential Palace.

– BERNAMA