IPOH: Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah has urged all quarters not to politicise security matters as any incident that affects stability and peace will have an impact on the economy.
He said everyone should instead support the government's continued efforts to maintain peace and help protect the country from terrorist threat.
"Even one (terror) incident will affect investor confidence in our economy.
"This (terrorist threat) is real and everyone must play their role to help protect the country from such threats," he said after opening the VAT 69 Commando Veterans Association annual general meeting here today.
He was commenting on claims that the warnings on terror plots in the region, including Malaysia, was an effort to divert the focus from present political issues that were affecting the ruling party and its leaders.
Husni said the government had to increase the security aspect since many peaceful countries had also become the victim of terror attacks.
"We never thought that peaceful countries such as Belgium and Turkey would be targeted by terrorists," he said.
Husni said the turmoil in Syria and other Middle East countries also showed how instability could hamper their economic growth.
"When we talk about economic growth, definitely it requires a conducive environment that is safe and peaceful," he said.
Asked whether the Islamic State (IS) threat had already affected Malaysia's economy, Husni said the country had yet to feel the impact.
On efforts to maintain Malaysia's competitiveness, Husni said the country must change its economic structure by becoming more innovative and creative.
He said the country must undergo transformation including in its education system, which should focus more on technology and creativity.
"Although Vision 2020 is our target, as a nation we have to move forward and chart our course beyond the year 2020," he said.
On VAT 69 Commando Veterans Association, the Tambun member of parliament said he would help get funds for the construction of the association's three-storey building on its land at Tanjung Rambutan here.
Husni said he would also seek help from the state government to enable the association to only pay nominal premium for its land.
"We have to help them as they have risked their lives to protect the country, including against communist insurgents," he said.
Present was the association’s president Datuk Mohd Rani Abd Rashid.