KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Negara today passed the Special Measures Against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Bill 2015 without amendments.
In tabling the bill, Home deputy minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said it was drafted to prevent Malaysia from being a "transit point" for terrorist groups, not limited to the Islamic State militant (IS), and to foil attempts by Malaysians to join such groups.
The bill among others states that authorisation to Immigration Department director-general to suspend or revoke travelling documents of Malaysians who were found to be involved in foreign terrorist group.
Senator Mariany Mohammad motioned that the powers under the new law are extended to other agencies, namely, the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA).
To this, Junaidi said although the agencies were not authorised under the new law, their corporation is vital to ensure that the nation is not being made the transit point for any terrorism activities.
"The same procedures apply, if the agencies report to the police of suspected involvement of the people detained (during raids) in militant activities, it will carry out investigation.
"The Inspector-General of Police may then requests the Immigration director-general to suspend or revoke their travel documents based on the evidence gathered. If the suspects are Malaysians, we are able to stop them from leaving the country by suspending or cancelling their passport, and if they are foreigners, their countries of origin are able to extradite them to be tried under their law," he said, adding that the tabling of the law was in accordance to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2178 (SCR 2178) last year.
SCR 2178 among others recognises international corporation and any measures taken by member states to prevent and combat terrorism must comply fully with the Chapter of the United Nations.
It also emphasises that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality or civilisation.
On a question by Senator Datuk Hamzah Mohd Kasim, he said children of the militants would not face the same legal action as their parents unless if it was proven that they have assisted them.
When met at the lobby, he said the bill was expected to be gazetted in June after obtaining royal assent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The bill was drafted based on the White Paper on the threats posed by Islamic State tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Parliament in November last year.