Malaysia keen to emulate UK to tighten National Security Council's regulations

Malaysia is keen to emulate the United Kingdom (UK) in the management of its National Security Council to conform to the Malaysian National Security Council (MKN) management, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said some key elements introduced by the UK National Security Council in accordance with the mould and requirements of the existing political landscape in the country could be applied in Malaysia by the MKN.

"Although they have created a Security Adviser to the Prime Minister post beginning August, I think several measures and levels that will be implemented and announced in the Parliament in London can be emulated by us," he told Malaysian journalists after a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora, here, Monday night.

Ahmad Zahid, who is currently on the second day of his four-day working visit to the UK, on Monday evening held a meeting with the UK's National Security Adviser Mark Lyall Grant in London. He was accompanied by the Malaysian delegation.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he would discuss with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak on the changes made by the UK National Security Council in order to adapt it to the mould and political landscape in Malaysia.

The changes introduced by the UK, among others, involve the formulation of a number of laws that give priority to the latest threats such as cyber security and how the non-conventional warfare is conducted by terrorist groups.

"Although we have elements in the MKN policies and directives, we can learn from the details outlined in the UK National Securty Council so that the Prime Minister as the MKN Chairman and assisted by me can tighten the existing rules in MKN," he said.