Australia lauds Malaysia's efforts in combating terrorism

Australia has commended Malaysia's efforts in tackling terrorism via the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and the Special Measures against Terrorism in Foreign Countries 2015 (SMATA) which were passed by Parliament recently, said the Home Ministry.

In a statement issued in conjunction with the official visit of Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to Australia, the ministry said Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott lauded Malaysian measures to combat terrorism through POTA and SMATA.

It said Ahmad Zahid, who paid a courtesy call on Abbott during his three-day visit to Australia beginning yesterday, would also attend the Regional Summit to Counter Violent Extremism: Challenging Terrorist Propaganda, in Sydney.

At their meeting, Ahmad Zahid and Abbott also discussed the moderate approach of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the context of the social system in Malaysia, it said.

The statement also said that Abbott praised Najib in his speech at the opening of the Regional Summit to Counter Violent Extremism.

It said Ahmad Zahid would deliver a speech on the Malaysian experience in preventing and eradicating terrorism as well as its anti-terrorism awareness campaign.

Ahmad Zahid also called on Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop as well as Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton, the statement said.