Malaysia views terrorism threat seriously

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia viewed the threat of terrorism that recently saw certain countries being targeted for attack, seriously.

Noting the latest incident at the office of the French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris on Wednesday, he said terrorism was no longer an issue that any one country could deal with on its own.

"It is crucial for us to strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries including sharing of intelligence.

"If we know someone to be a potential terrorist, then the enforcement agencies greatly need the information in order to take preventive measures before any incident could happen," he told a media conference here today.

He was at the flood operation centre in Baitul Rahah after visiting the IKBN Paloh Hinai flood evacuation centre and some affected villages around Pekan.

Accompanying him was wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin.

The prime minister said other than streamlining the existing laws, a new Act to avert terrorism threats and militant activities would also be proposed in parliament in March.

He said the move was necessary to give more clout to the relevant authorities to take preventive measures on suspected individuals or groups.

Earlier, Najib, with Rosmah joined a 'gotong royong' at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Serambi before presenting school bags and shoes to the children at the villages.

He was at SK Padang Rumbia for a similar community programme, and also surveyed the flood situation at Kampung Lamir Pekan.