IS a serious threat, says PM of Malaysia

(THE STAR ONLINE) Malaysia drove home the point at a summit attended by American and Asean leaders of the serious terror threat posed by Islamic State (IS), saying it could yet commit “the worst kind of brutality”.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak cited terror acts carried out in several cities around the world, with the latest being in San Bernardino, not far from the venue of the US-Asean summit.

“The terror acts in Paris, Istanbul, Ankara, Jakarta and St Bernardino could result in the worst kind of brutality committed by a group of people who do not follow the true teachings of Islam.

“In fact, the ideology introduced by IS is against the very principles of Islam,” Najib told Malaysian journalists at the end of the two-day US-Asean summit here yesterday.

The PM said he decided to speak on the IS threat in the last session of the summit when leaders were discussing peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

“In my intervention, I stressed Malaysia’s stand on IS extremism. I told the leaders that our efforts to counter terror threats will only succeed if we can win the ideological war,” he added.

Najib also said he would announce next month the inaugural syariah index which would serve as a benchmark to determine if Malaysia was fulfilling the objectives of Islamic principles.

The Malaysian Syariah Index, launched last year, will gauge objectively and scientifically Malaysia’s commitment in achieving the five aspects of the Maqasid Syariah (objective of Islamic principles).

These are the protection of religion, life, the mind, race and proper­ty.

Najib also said US President Barack Obama, in his remarks, thanked Malaysia for playing its role as country coordinator for Asean-US relations.

“He expressed appreciation that Malaysia’s leadership resulted in the successful organisation of the US-Asean summit here,” he added.