PM to launch Security and Public Order Policy today

The Security and Public Order Policy that will be launched tomorrow contain six key pillars in ensuring that the country's security and public order are maintained.

The policy, which focuses on current issues that threaten public safety and security, is scheduled to be launched by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Putrajaya.

Home Affairs secretary-general Alwi Ibrahim said the six core areas of the policy were to uphold the constitutional dignity, the rule of law and the country's key institutions, to enhance the governance and integrity of security enforcement agencies, and to strengthen security and border controls.

The other three core areas are to secure public safety and security; to combat the abuse of drugs; to protect the country's assets and targets, he told reporters at his office here today.

He said the policy was the initiative of the Home Ministry to streamline existing procedures and replace the Internal Security Policy.

The Security and Public Order Policy is a comprehensive policy for safeguarding public safety and order, thus ensuring the well-being of the people and the survival of Malaysia as a peaceful, prosperous, sovereign and respected nation in the world, he said.

Alwi said the policy with the theme 'Public Safety and Peace: Shared Responsibility' emphasised specific aspects of the rule of law and focused on strengthening the image and performance of security enforcement agencies.

“The most important thing in this policy (is) that we want to make sure that this policy is adopted by agencies and departments under the Home Ministry.

"The ministry needs support and collaboration across the ministry and outside the ministry so that it can have the best impact on security," he said.

Alwi said the Security and Public Order Policy was not only the responsibility of the enforcement agency but also the responsibility of the community.

He added that a special core of the policy was set up to address drug abuse and distribution, which was still a major enemy of the country and contributed to other social symptoms.

- Bernama