Muhyiddin: Strong measures like Pota necessary to curb extremism and terrorism threats

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today said strong measures like the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) are needed to curb the threat of extremism and terrorism in the country.
He said preventive laws is needed before extremism and terrorism could spread and pose a threat to the nation.
"Extremism and terrorism have become one of the greatest threats that the whole world is facing right now. Therefore strong measures must be put in place to keep such threat in check and quickly nip it in the bud," he added.
He said Malaysia has introduced tough laws to deal with such threats such as Pota which has been passed by the Parliament recently.
Muhyiddin said this at a forum organised by the Kuala Lumpur Foundation to Criminalize War (KLFCW) titled "Engaging the young to criminalise war and energise peace". The invitation to speak was from KLFCW founder Tun Dr Siti Hasmah and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The Pota was passed after a long debate at the Dewan Rakyat sitting on April 7, this year.
Muhyiddin said the young generation of Malaysians must be thankful that they are living in a nation which is stable, harmonious and peaceful unlike where children and the young are living in war-torn countries like Palestine and Syria and surrounded with violence and unrest.
"In this country, we have been blessed in many ways. We have not seen an armed conflict or massive loss of lives," Muhyiddin said.
He said Tun Dr Mahathir will always receive support for his continuous effort to speak the truth and to combat injustice at any level.
Muhyiddin said it is has always been Dr Mahathir's trademark to speak his mind and state his views even if it is against those who are more powerful than him.
"Telling the truth and standing up… that has been your trademark since you were a young doctor and Umno member.You are not alone in telling the truth," Muhyiddin said.