KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 – The Special Measures Against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Bill 2015 was passed without amendments in the Dewan Rakyat today. Earlier during the policy stage, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the bill was to prevent Malaysia from being a “transit point” for Islamic State (IS) militant groups, while also foiling attempts of Malaysians joining terrorist groups abroad. 

“The special measures in the Bill are similar with the approaches undertaken by countries such as Australia, United Kingdom, Canada and other several European countries.”  Zahid said Clause 3 of the Bill was a key element that would enable the government to use extra-territorial powers based on international law principles relating to any offences under the act.  He also said the bill was important due to the international nature of IS threats faced by Malaysians in the country and abroad. 

“These terrorists have the tendency of exploiting weaknesses and loopholes in the country’s security and defence, borders and the Immigration Department.  “Not only is the (IS) group making Malaysia their focal point for their activities, but they are also trying to attract Malaysians abroad to join them,” said Zahid.  Clause 5 proposed that the Immigration Department director-general be given authorisation to suspend or revoke all travel documents issued to Malaysians who were found being involved in or supporting any foreign terrorist groups. 

Clause 6 and 7 stipulates that the minister might order the surrender of a person’s travel documents who was suspected to be involved in any terrorist group.  Among those who debated the bill were Datuk Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan), Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) and Datuk Hasbullah Osman (BN-Gerik). The bill was passed through voice vote.

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