Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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TAIPING: The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis) has sparked a new phenomenon, recruiting members not only from Islamic countries but also from Western countries, said Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

He said threats from the militant group currently affect the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

However, he said Malaysia viewed seriously the spread of militancy, to prevent the country from becoming a centre for the recruitment of new Isis members.

He was commenting on a report in an English daily yesterday, that France had issued a travel advisory urging its citizens to be vigilant in several countries, including Malaysia, over fears of a threat from militants from Isis.

Hishammuddin said the countries concerned should take similar measures in their own countries, given the threat could affect Western countries.

“So if they want to give [an] advisory about Malaysia, I think the same applies to their own countries,” he said.

Hishammuddin said he would discuss with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the appropriate allocation for Sabah and Sarawak to increase the security levels in both states.

“In the context of [a] military threat, I can give you an assurance that there are no immediate military concerns but we will not take it lightly, it is something we work very closely with intelligence agencies in the region and internationally,” he said.

He added this was because the movement of the people, money, arms in this globalised world, had a direct impact on security and defence. — Bernama


This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on Sept 29, 2014.

 

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