National security a priority even if it impacts economy

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed says tighter security measures may impact the tourism and education industries, but national security will remain priority.

Last year played an important role in reshaping the understanding of the terror threats that have significant implications on life in Malaysia. With the apparent increase in Islamisation elements in the country, extremists may find new operating grounds for their activities in Malaysia and countries within the region.

A particular demographic that may impact Malaysia when it comes to extremism is the population of international students in the country. Last year, there was the incident of a Monash University Malaysia student from Bangladesh who carried out a terror attack in his home country with five other perpetrators. Although it remains unclear where he may have been radicalised, authorities aren’t taking any chances.

Last month, there were multiple arrests of foreign nationals due to ties to global terror group the Islamic State (IS). Two of which were students at a private university and were planning to carry an attack on an international school.

As a result, Malaysia is putting plans to screen international students and ensure they do not represent potential danger to national security.

Earlier this week, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said that the government may heighten the rigour of security checks at points of entry into the country, however, this may impact the economy in unintended ways. Jazlan told Free Malaysia Today that “We don’t want to make it difficult for people to enter the country, but if there is a concern then we may have to tighten security.”

Tighter security may impact the tourism industry in Malaysia and it will have significant impact on the enrolment of international students in local private and public universities. However, security is a priority and it is the responsibility of home ministry to ensure that Malaysia is safe and secure, Jazlan noted.

The Tourism and Culture Ministry and Higher Education Ministry might have their objections and concerns. But Jazlan is confident that these two ministries will understand the situation as this isn’t only for the benefit of national security, but it is also for the safety of tourists and students in the country.

Malaysian authorities are doing well combating terrorism and collaborating with expert security officials from other countries to exchange data and critical information about the threat of terrorism. However, many are concerned that it is not only tourists and international students that can be potentially dangerous, foreign workers could also have ties to terror groups. This is evidential in the case of a 26-year old foreign worker who was arrested last month due to plans to launch an attack in Myanmar, and he may have smuggled weapons into Poso, Indonesia. Additionally, there is the threat of homegrown terrorists and Malaysians abroad in countries like Egypt and Turkey where Malaysians could come in contact with sympathisers or even covert members of the terror group.