Terrorist threat statement not a political spin - Ahmad Zahid

The statements issued by the government on terrorism threats faced by Malaysia is not a political spin and should be taken seriously by all parties, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister asserted that Malaysia was not spared in regards to security threats by terrorists including plans to kidnap the country's leaders.

"I have made many statements on the danger of terrorist threats to the country's security; the statements are not a political spin but based on intelligence information," he told Malaysian reporters today after attending the Bali Process forum here, yesterday.

Ahmad Zahid who is also Home Minister said the bombing incidents in Brussels, Belgium should remind people in Malaysia that terrorist groups are still actively carrying out their threats worldwide.

Wisma Putra in a statement on Tuesday said the Malaysian government condemned the bomb blasts at Brussels international airport and a city metro station which killed more than 30 people.

Bali Process

On the Bali Process, Zahid said progress was achieved for the first time with member countries agreeing to a ministerial declaration on refugees.

"I am very satisfied with the outcome of this forum. It is the first time after six forums that member countries showed, through the Bali declaration, that they were committed to the process," he said.

He said one of the points in the declaration was for countries to accept responsibility and receive back their citizens who failed to get international status as refugees.

He said Malaysia had been assisting refugees on humanitarian grounds even though some came to the country for economic reasons.

"At the same time, Malaysia does not want to be burdened by a surge in illegal immigrants," he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the government was committed to combating human trafficking and would urge the countries involved to resolve the dilemma.

The Bali Process is an international forum established in 2002 to facilitate discussion and information sharing about human trafficking and transnational crime.

It is participated by 48 countries and international organisations including Malaysia.