Counter-terrorism in Malaysia
Encyclopedia
Counter-terrorism in Malaysia is a series of measures implemented in Malaysia to detect and prevent terrorism
, and to minimise damage from such terrorist acts should they occur. These measures involve all levels of society, including military, police
, border and infrastructure security, civil defence, medical readiness, and psychological preparedness. Malaysian also participates actively in international counterterrorism efforts. Malaysia has experienced terrorism since 1948 during battle against communist. The Internal Security Act
(ISA) was formed to preventing terrorism in Malaysia.
This is because the main objective of the militant movement is to create chaotic conditions in the country. Ostensibly based on the 'Islamic struggle', they are willing to fight and sacrifice their lives.
The same law is practiced in Singapore (ISA), Britain (Anti-Terrorism, Crime and security Act 2001), United States (USA Patriotic Act) and Indonesia (Order of the President).
that have influenced counter-terrorism policies in Malaysia.
are specialised military, law enforcement, and civil defence units, namely:
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
, and to minimise damage from such terrorist acts should they occur. These measures involve all levels of society, including military, police
Royal Malaysian Police
The Royal Malaysia Police is a part of the security forces structure in Malaysia. The force is a centralised organization with responsibilities ranging from traffic control to intelligence gathering. Its headquarters is located at Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur. The police force is led by an...
, border and infrastructure security, civil defence, medical readiness, and psychological preparedness. Malaysian also participates actively in international counterterrorism efforts. Malaysia has experienced terrorism since 1948 during battle against communist. The Internal Security Act
Internal Security Act (Malaysia)
The Internal Security Act 1960 is a preventive detention law in force in Malaysia. The legislation was enacted after Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957. The ISA allows for detention without trial or criminal charges under limited, legally defined circumstances...
(ISA) was formed to preventing terrorism in Malaysia.
Needs Anti Terrorism Law
- Legal protection against the elements of violence and treachery necessary to curb the activities that may threaten national security, particularly of the militant movement.
- The militant movement can bring a lasting adverse effect as did the former communist movement.
- It is not much different for both motivated violence and desertion.
- If the anti-violence movement was not immediately dibanteras, the very large negative effects for economic development. Countries will be chaos and quiet due to the threats.
- Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad at the Prime Minister stressed that the Central Government will fight it out all the militant movement in this country.
This is because the main objective of the militant movement is to create chaotic conditions in the country. Ostensibly based on the 'Islamic struggle', they are willing to fight and sacrifice their lives.
Act and the Anti-Terrorism Law
- The coherence of government in implementing the law can control the movement of militants from the continued widespread in Malaysia. Ministry of Home Affairs has developed a new strategy to ensure national security is maintained.
- Act and laws relating to anti-terrorism are:
- Internal Security Act (ISA)
- Powerful Act following the detention of six members who act violently refomasi movement after removal, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from his post as Deputy Prime Minister.
- In addition, the Operasi Lalang in force under this act has resulted in 106 arrests, including seven rebels DAP MPs who tried to spread the communist ideology.
- By implementing this act also allows the authorities arrested a large number of members of the Islamic Council based in Malaysia.
The same law is practiced in Singapore (ISA), Britain (Anti-Terrorism, Crime and security Act 2001), United States (USA Patriotic Act) and Indonesia (Order of the President).
- Penal Code:
- This law is used to launch criminal proceedings over the alleged Al-Maunah on charges of launching war against His Majesty the King.
The government's efforts at the international level
Addressing Violence Center Southeast Asia- The effectiveness of these centers is being tested following the kidnapping incident which occurred in a number of eco-tourism destination in Sabah, Sipadan Island and more recently in Borneo Paradise, Lahat Datu.
- Abduction was carried out by Abu Sayaf Group, the militant movement from the Philippines.
- The establishment of this center is able to deny any space for foreign powers to intervene in matters of national security.
The effectiveness of the Anti Terrorism Law in Malaysia
- Anti-terror law was found to be very effective, there is no reason the government must find other law or enact a new legal form.
- Anti-terrorist activities and movement in Malaysia has received attention and praise from various quarters, especially from big powers.
- Malaysia is said to have managed to prevent events like this in a quick time through the acts and laws that have been carried out.
Timeline
These are the events related to terrorism and counter-terrorism in Malaysia. Also listed are major terrorist incidents in the world and in Southeast AsiaSoutheast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
that have influenced counter-terrorism policies in Malaysia.
1951
- 06 October - Sir Henry GurneyHenry GurneySir Henry Lovell Goldsworthy Gurney KCMG K.St.J. was a British official who was assassinated by communist insurgents during the Malayan Emergency.-Background:...
was ambushed by Malayan Communist PartyMalayan Communist PartyThe Malayan Communist Party , officially known as the Communist Party of Malaya , was founded in 1930 and laid down its arms in 1989. It is most famous for its role in the Malayan Emergency.-Formation:...
at Fraser Hill, resulting he killed, during the Malayan EmergencyMalayan EmergencyThe Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
period.
1969
- October - The elite 69th Commando Battalion of Royal Malaysian Police is formed.
1975
- January - The elite Special Actions Unit of Royal Malaysian Police is formed in secret.
- August - The terrorists from Japanese Red ArmyJapanese Red ArmyThe was a Communist terrorist group founded by Fusako Shigenobu early in 1971 in Lebanon. It sometimes called itself Arab-JRA after the Lod airport massacre...
(JRA) faction held approximately 50 civilians including members of the US consulate and the Swedish chargé d'affaires as hostages within the AIA building housing several embassies in Kuala Lumpur and demand the release of five imprisoned comrades and flew with them to Libya.
1977
- 04 December - The lone member from JRA hijacked Malaysia Airlines Flight 653Malaysia Airlines Flight 653Malaysia Airlines Flight 653 , a Boeing 737-2H6 aircraft registered as , crashed at Tanjung Kupang, Johor, in Malaysia on the evening of 4 December 1977. It was the deadliest and first fatal accident for Malaysia Airlines, with all 93 passengers and 7 crew killed instantly. The flight was...
and then crashed killing all onboard at Tanjung Kupang, Johore after he shots the pilots and himself, resulting in 100 passengers being killed.
1980
- 01 April - The elite HANDAUPaskauPaskau may refer to:* PASKAU, a special forces unit of the Royal Malaysian Air Force* the town of Paskov in the Czech Republic...
of Royal Malaysian Air Force is formed - 01 October - The elite PASKALPASKALThe Royal Malaysian Navy PASukan Khas Laut , commonly known as the PASKAL compose the Special Operations Forces of the Royal Malaysian Navy, employed in direct action and special reconnaissance operations...
of Royal Malaysian Navy is formed.
1990
- The army counter-terrorism force 11th Rejimen Gerak Khas (RGK) is formed under training by British 22nd SAS.
1993
- 01 June - Royal Malaysian Air Force restructed the elite force and changed the name of HANDAU with the newly name known as PASKAUPaskauPaskau may refer to:* PASKAU, a special forces unit of the Royal Malaysian Air Force* the town of Paskov in the Czech Republic...
.
1997
- 20 October - Pasukan Gerakan KhasPasukan Gerakan KhasThe Pasukan Gerakan Khas is an elite high-profile counter-terrorism and special operations tactical unit of the Royal Malaysia Police...
(PGK) is formed, combining the 69th Commando Battalion (VAT-69) and Special Actions Unit under one wing.
2000
- 03 July - the group known as Al-Ma'unah stolen over 111 military firearms and ammunitions at two control post at Territorial Army camp in Kuala Rui, Perak and hiding in the jungle at Bukit Jenalik, Sauk, Perak.
- 05 July - local police and military forces launched the Operation 304 and stormed the town while army 22nd GGK and police VAT-69 PGK combine forces sent to Sauk to negotiates the Al-Maunah leader, Muhammad Amin Razali. The gunfight ensued during initially surrendered resulting kill 3 peoples including 2 hostages. Amin and his two lieutenants as well as one member hang to death while 26 members were detained in police custody.
- 04 November - Murder Joe Fernandez as a member of the Legislative Assembly, Lunas, Kedah on 4 November 2000. He was shot dead by an unknown person, believed one of the nine members of militant religious groups.
2001
- 11 September- September 11 attacks in the United States.
- Malaysia arrests two members of Jemaah IslamiyahJemaah IslamiyahJemaah Islamiah , is a Southeast Asian militant Islamic organization dedicated to the establishment of a Daulah Islamiyah in Southeast Asia incorporating Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, Singapore and Brunei...
which in the list of Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and TradeDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a department of the government of Australia charged with advancing the interests of Australia and its citizens internationally...
(DFAT) named Yazid Sufaat and Suhaimi Mokhtar. - 04 August - motion defeat militant groups of Malaysia (KMM) following the arrest of a few members, led by Nik Adli Nik Abdul Aziz, the son of General Mursyidul of PAS. KMM is an underground movement (subversion), which received military training in Afghanistan.
2002
- Malaysia arrests another six members of Jemaah IslamiyahJemaah IslamiyahJemaah Islamiah , is a Southeast Asian militant Islamic organization dedicated to the establishment of a Daulah Islamiyah in Southeast Asia incorporating Indonesia, Malaysia, the southern Philippines, Singapore and Brunei...
. - 12 October - Bali car bombing2002 Bali bombingThe 2002 Bali bombings occurred on 12 October 2002 in the tourist district of Kuta on the Indonesian island of Bali. The attack was claimed as the deadliest act of terrorism in the history of Indonesia according to the current police general, killing 202 people,...
by Jemaah Islamiah kills 202 people in the IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n island.
2003
- November - Malaysia passed new counter-terrorism laws that were widely criticized by local human rightsHuman rightsHuman rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
groups for being vague and overbroad. Critics claim that the laws put the basic rights of free expression, association, and assembly at risk. Malaysia persisted in holding around 100 alleged militants without trial, including five Malaysian students detained for alleged terrorist activity while studying in Karachi, Pakistan. - Malaysia arrests six more members of JI.
2004
- 21 March - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad BadawiAbdullah Ahmad BadawiTun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition...
leads UMNO to a resounding victory in the General ElectionsMalaysian general election, 2004General elections were held in Malaysia on March 21, 2004. The incumbent National Front government of Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was re-elected with an increased majority.-Election results:...
, checking the advance of Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) that aims to establish Malaysia as an Islamist theocratic country. - Arrests six members of Indonesian JI suspect terrorist, Zakaria Bin Samad, Ahmad Bin Zakaria, Terhamid Bin Dahalan, Mahfudi Bin Saifuddin, Mulyadi and Arifin.
2005
- 15 February – The first Malaysian coast guard named Malaysian Maritime Enforcement AgencyMalaysian Maritime Enforcement AgencyThe Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency , the Malaysian Coast Guard version, is the principal government agency tasked with maintaining law and order and coordinating search and rescue operations in the Malaysian Maritime Zone and on the high seas. It is in effect the Coast Guard of Malaysia...
(MMEA) is formed. - 25 April – The elite Special Task And RescueSpecial Task And RescueThe Special Task And Rescue or STAR is an elite counter-terrorism and special forces of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency established to protect a local maritime assets of Malaysia. The team were started operating with minimum memberships with one Malaysian Maritime senior officer and one...
of MMEA is formed. - 01 October - A series of explosions2005 Bali bombingsThe 2005 Bali bombings were a series of terrorist suicide bomb and a series of car bombs and attacks that occurred on October 1, 2005, in Bali, Indonesia. Bombs exploded at two sites in Jimbaran Beach Resort and in Kuta away, both in south Bali. The terrorist attack claimed the lives of 20 people...
kills at least 23 in resort areas of Jimbaran Beach and Kuta in BaliBaliBali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...
, IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. - 03 October – The elite Trup Tindakan CepatTrup Tindakan CepatTrup Tindakan Cepat , or TTC, is the Malaysian counter-terrorism squad, and part of the Malaysian Prisons Department. Formed on 3 October 2005, it is equipped and trained by Malaysian special forces...
of Malaysian Prison Department is formed.
2007
- Arrests four alleged JI members Zulkifli Bin Marzuki, Mohd Nasir Bin Ismail, Ahmad Kamil Bin Hanafiah and Mohd Amir Bin Hanafiah.
2008
- 27 February - A Singaporean JI leader, Mas Selamat Kastari escaped from Whitley Detention Centre. A massive manhunt comprising team from the Singapore Police ForceSingapore Police ForceThe Singapore Police Force is the main agency tasked with maintaining law and order in the city-state. Formerly known as the Republic of Singapore Police , it has grown from an 11-man organisation to a 38,587 strong force...
Gurkha ContingentGurkha ContingentThe Gurkha Contingent is a line department of the Singapore Police Force. Members of the GC are trained to be highly-skilled and are selected for their display of strong discipline and dedication in their tasks...
, Police Tactical UnitPolice Tactical UnitPolice Tactical Unit is the name of specialist units of various police forces.The term may refer to:*Police Tactical Unit *Police Tactical Unit *PTU, a Hong Kong film about the Police Tactical Unit....
and Police National Service Key Installation Protection Unit as well as Singapore GuardsSingapore GuardsIn the Singapore Armed Forces, the Guards are an elite infantry formation specializing in rapid deployment. Guards are known as elite heliborne troopers. They are well trained in heliborne operations and specialist combat skills that give them an added combat edge...
and Singapore Armed Forces Military Police Command.
2009
- 01 April – A comprising personnel from Royal Malaysian Police, the Special Actions Unit of PGK and Special Branch stormed a Mas Selamat hideout at Kampung Tawakal, Skudai, Johor Bahru. Comprising force succeeded arrest a JI leader and detained him under ISA at Kamunting Detention Centre, Perak.
Counter terrorist specialised units
At the forefront in the battle against terrorismTerrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
are specialised military, law enforcement, and civil defence units, namely:
- 11th Uniform Squadron Rejimen Gerak Khas,
- Alpha Platoon of PASKALPASKALThe Royal Malaysian Navy PASukan Khas Laut , commonly known as the PASKAL compose the Special Operations Forces of the Royal Malaysian Navy, employed in direct action and special reconnaissance operations...
, - Flight Hostage Rescue Team PASKAUPaskauPaskau may refer to:* PASKAU, a special forces unit of the Royal Malaysian Air Force* the town of Paskov in the Czech Republic...
- Counter-Revolutionary Warfare 69th Commando Battalion of PGK
- Special Actions Unit of PGK
- UNGERINUNGERINThe Marine Combat Unit is a maritime Special Operations squad under the command of the Royal Malaysian Police. Fully operational on 2007, the UNGERIN conducts anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations in the coastal waters surrounding Malaysia and assists the marine police to respond...
- Trup Tindakan CepatTrup Tindakan CepatTrup Tindakan Cepat , or TTC, is the Malaysian counter-terrorism squad, and part of the Malaysian Prisons Department. Formed on 3 October 2005, it is equipped and trained by Malaysian special forces...
- Special Task And RescueSpecial Task And RescueThe Special Task And Rescue or STAR is an elite counter-terrorism and special forces of Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency established to protect a local maritime assets of Malaysia. The team were started operating with minimum memberships with one Malaysian Maritime senior officer and one...