Against the backdrop of rising threats from global terrorism, Datuk Seri Najib Razak today voiced his determination to defeat militant groups and their extremist ideologies emerging in this region.
The Prime Minister stressed that there was no place for extremism in society.
Many countries across the region have suffered at the hands of extremists and Malaysia is no exception, as was reflected by the barbaric murder of Bernard Then in the Philippines recently, he said.
"This has given me greater determination than ever to ensure that all possible measures are taken to defeat not only the militant groups that have arisen in the region but also the extremist ideology they use," Najib said in a written response to questions posed by Bernama.
Then, 39, an electrical engineer from Sarawak, was kidnapped from a restaurant in Sandakan, Sabah, on May 14 and was beheaded by the Abu Sayyaf militant group in the Philippines on Tuesday.
The Bernama questionaire was forwarded in conjunction with the 27th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits here.
Najib said he had also called for ASEAN member states to speak up against and reject extremism, and support moderation.
ASEAN leaders need to counter radicalisation and violent extremism in all forms and manifestations that lead to terrorism, he said.
"This includes the prevention of radicalisation, financing, recruitment and mobilisation of individuals into terrorist groups," he added.
Najib said in the war against terrorism, Malaysia would look at cooperation not only with other ASEAN member states but also countries beyond the region.
In further substantiating his point on the matter, Najib said Kuala Lumpur would be hosting an International Conference on Deradicalisation and Countering Violent Extremism on Jan 25 and 26 next year.
This conference, he said, would not only involve ASEAN member states but also other countries, namely Australia, China, France, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.
"However, words by themselves are not enough, and I wish to assure our citizens that we will be looking at concrete measures that can be taken to counter the spread of radicalisation and extremism in a holistic manner," he said.
On the problem of irregular movement of migrants affecting ASEAN countries, the Prime Minister said a global effort by all countries was necessary to break the vicious cycle of exploitation.
This issue was of urgent concern not just to ASEAN, but also to the international community, he said.
Najib said it involved people smuggling and human trafficking syndicates preying on vulnerable people seeking better lives for themselves and their families.
"We believe that tackling the root causes is vital, and Malaysia will certainly do its part in addressing this complex and tragic crisis," he said.
In showing ASEAN's serious commitment towards this end, he said ASEAN leaders would be signing the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children at the current Kuala Lumpur meetings, signalling the grouping's determination to alleviate the terrible suffering people-trafficking causes.
On the annual occurrence of the haze blanketing this region, Najib said Kuala Lumpur would continue working towards ASEAN's vision of a haze-free region by 2020.
Bernama
Thu Nov 19 2015
NAJIB: Bernard Then's murder has given me greater determination than ever to ensure that all possible measures are taken to defeat not only the militant groups that have arisen in the region but also the extremist ideology they use. - BERNAMApic
Nahas helikopter Lumut: Salah seorang mangsa anak jati Bukit Kepong
Komander Muhamad Amir Mohamad, Pegawai Memerintah Skuadron 502 TLDM yang berpangkalan di Lumut merupakan anak jati Bukit Kepong.
Jongkong emas bernilai RM585 juta dijual
Sejumlah 2,300 kilogram (kg) jongkong emas bernilai RM585 juta telah dijual hasil perlombongan emas di Bukit Mantri, Tawau yang mula beroperasi pada 2018.
RM651 juta pampasan dibayar kepada pemilik tanah
Sebanyak RM651 juta jumlah pampasan telah dibayar kepada 1,591 pemilik tanah dan struktur yang terlibat dalam pembinaan projek Lebuhraya Pan Borneo di Sabah.
Jabatan Perhutanan Sabah kutip hasil RM155.32 juta pada 2023
Jabatan Perhutanan Sabah berjaya mengutip hasil sebanyak RM155.32 juta pada 2023, persidangan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sabah diberitahu pada Selasa.
Nahas helikopter Lumut: 'Tak sangka Farah dalam helikopter terhempas'
Pegawai Waran II TNL Noorfarahimi Mohd Saedy adalah antara mangsa terkorban dalam nahas pesawat di Pangkalan TLDM Lumut pada Selasa.
Australia mahu perkukuh hubungan dengan Sabah
Australia berminat untuk mengukuhkan hubungan sedia ada dengan Sabah, selain melihat kepada peluang perdagangan baharu.
Jasad Joseph Kurup selamat dikebumikan
Jasad mendiang pengasas Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), Tan Sri Joseph Kurup selamat dikebumikan di Empire Paradise Christian Memorial Park, Penampang pada Selasa.
Nahas helikopter Lumut: 'Arwah orang yang baik, tegas dan hormat orang tua'
Jirannya, Mohd Nazri Abu Samah, 55, berkata, kali terakhir dia bertemu dengan Allahyarham hujung tahun lalu, ketika Allahyarham pulang menziarahi keluarganya.
Kem badminton perlu main peranan masing-masing untuk julang Piala Thomas
Semangat kerjasama ditunjukkan kem badminton ketika itu merupakan kunci kejayaan utama Malaysia berhasil menjulang piala itu, 32 tahun lepas.
Felicia cukup penyayang, sentiasa dahulukan keluarga
Ahli keluarga salah seorang mangsa nahas helikopter TLDM yang terhempas di Lumut, Perak pada Selasa.
Perintah berkurung di perairan ESSZone dilanjut sehingga 10 April
Perintah berkurung membabitkan perairan tujuh daerah di Zon Selamat Timur Sabah (ESSZone) yang berakhir esok, dilanjutkan sehingga 10 April ini.
Abu Sayyaf: Pasukan komando UTK digerakkan ke pantai timur Sabah
Tahap keselamatan di pantai timur Sabah akan dipertingkatkan termasuk menggerakkan satu pasukan komando Unit Tindakan Khas (UTK) bagi menangani isu berkaitan kumpulan Abu Sayyaf.
Pembuat bom Abu Sayyaf sah masih hidup - ESSCom
Pembuat bom yang juga sub ketua kumpulan Abu Sayyaf, Mudzrimar atau Mundi Sawadjaan yang dilaporkan ditembak mati Mei lepas di Filipina, disahkan masih hidup.
ESSCOM keluarkan 20 senarai suspek dikehendaki terbabit kes penculikan
ESSCOM hari ini mengeluarkan senarai terkini 20 individu warga Filipina yang dikehendaki kerana terbabit dalam kes penculikan untuk wang tebusan.
Kerajaan bangun pelan tindakan kebangsaan, tangani fahaman pelampau keganasan
Kerajaan sedang membangunkan Pelan Tindakan Kebangsaan Bagi Mencegah dan Menangani Fahaman Pelampau Keganasan (NAPPCVE).
Abu Sayyaf: Pemilik ladang perlu pastikan pekerja memiliki dokumen pengenalan diri - Polis
Hazani berkata, jika sukar memastikan pekerja memiliki dokumen yang sah, pemilik ladang perlulah mencari jalan untuk mendokumentasikan sendiri buruh mereka.
Dua anggota Abu Sayyaf maut, 11 ditahan rancang culik pemilik ladang kelapa sawit
Polis Keselamatan menggagalkan cubaan kumpulan militan Abu Sayyaf untuk melakukan penculikan untuk tebusan ke atas pemilik ladang kelapa sawit di sekitar Sandakan.
Polis Sabah tembak mati dua anggota Abu Sayyaf
Kedua-dua lelaki ditembak mati dalam insiden berbalas tembakan dengan pasukan keselamatan.
Mesej Abu Sayyaf tangkap, potong anggota badan penduduk tidak benar - ESSCom
Kawasan Keselamatan Khas Pantai Timur Sabah (ESSCom) menafikan dakwaan berlaku kejadian kumpulan Abu Sayyaf menangkap penduduk kampung dan memotong anggota badan.
Rumah jadi lokasi serang hendap pengganas Abu Sayyaf terhadap polis dimusnahkan
Enam rumah di kawasan hutan di belakang Taman Sri Arjuna, Beaufort yang menjadi lokasi serangan hendap pengganas Abu Sayyaf terhadap pasukan Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) dimusnahkan.