Sosma, Poca effective weapons against terror, Najib tells Sydney conference

SYDNEY: Malaysia’s preventive laws form a powerful and effective weapon in combating violent extremism and averting possible incidents of violence, Prime Minister Najib Razak said today.

He said there was a need to have certain legislative powers such as laws formulated and implemented in Malaysia like the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) and National Security Council (NSC) Act.

“There is no meaning if we act after something has happened. This is the model we use in Malaysia and it is very effective,” he told Malaysian journalists here today.

He said even though there were police and security forces personnel working diligently in detecting and apprehending those who might commit acts of violence or resort to violent extremism, preventive laws were also needed.

“This is what we have proved… When there is a legal force that can be imposed on any individual who is likely to commit a crime involving violence, then that action is very effective.

“So far, thank God, no one has died in the incidents of violence in Malaysia. We as the government are committed to ensuring that this situation will continue,” he said.

Najib is in Sydney to attend the Asean-Australia Special Summit 2018.

He said he highlighted the model adopted by Malaysia which had so far shown to be successful in ensuring the security of the country.

“We have made Malaysia safe for Malaysians and foreigners, and I say it is because we have the powers of certain laws,” he said.

He said he also touched on the new battleground of social media where youths were being persuaded and influenced through certain contents.

“This is why we have to reject the IS ideology and extremist understanding,” he said, adding that youths needed to appreciate Islam in its authentic form.

“Our effort in this aspect is the new battleground which we need to give more attention,” he said. -FMT