Special Measures Against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Bill 2015 passed

In winding-up debate on the bill, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar gave the assurance that the Act would only be used on those who were really suspected of committing an offence based on information obtained from the authorities.

"Not everyone who goes to the Philippines, Syria or Jordan and individuals from countries in turmoil will be accused of being involved in terrorism.

"Instead, only those who are suspected, and specifically, had training, and terrorist ideology would be the ones we will stop," he said.

Among others, the bill will allow Malaysia to prevent and stop people from traveling to IS-conflict areas.

It is also aimed at preventing Malaysia from becoming a source country or transit point for those who want to join terrorist groups as well as preventing Malaysians from participating in any activities organised by such groups identified overseas.

The bill is among those proposed by the Home Ministry for the implementation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2015, which was passed by the Dewan Rakyat Monday night.

Elaborating further, Wan Junaidi said the Home Ministry would intensify training and upgrade facilities at the Immigration Department such as the 'Advanced Passenger Screening System (APSS)' at all entry points in the country to ensure that the Act is effectively implemented.

"We have identified some important equipment so that we have direct contact with the Interpol database to enable us to determine if a criminal plans to enter the country as early as when he buys the ticket overseas, and with this, they will be prevented from boarding the plane to this country," he said.

He said the Inspector-General of Police and Immigration director-general would be working together to strengthen the standard operating procedures in preventing suspected terrorists from coming in or IS sympathisers from leaving the country.

Earlier, during the debate on the bill, several government supporters lashed out at the opposition members who continued to question the new bill, giving the excuse of human rights.

Datuk Abd Azeez Abd Rahim (BN-Baling) said opposition members who did not want to accept the bill were "afraid of their own shadows".

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang) said terrorism now was changing from time to time and needed the government to take drastic measures to implement tighter laws to combat terrorism more seriously.

"I want to stress that the government will not compromise on terrorism issues, we do not need to debate if we are not terrorists... we in BN are not afraid as we are not terrorists and this bill has nothing to do with human rights," she said.

Tan Sri Annuar Musa (BN-Ketereh) said the government had its own approach, including introducing relevant modules to prevent terrorist activities from spreading in the country.