PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today called on a strong, united Asean in the fight against terrorism.
He said now is the time for the region to unite and play a greater part alongside the world community in the global battle against terror.
"Daesh (Islamic State) and its cruel, twisted ideology have no place in
our peaceful, diverse, tolerant country and nor in our region," he said at the launch of the 36th Aseanapol Conference 2016.
Also present was Inspector General of Police and chairman of the 36th Aseanapol Conference, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
Najib said he had repeatedly raised the fact that no one was immune to the threats of terrorism.
This was why the government had passed the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act or Sosma; the Special Measures against Terrorism in Foreign Countries Act: the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the National Security Council Act, Najib said.
"We were criticised for passing some of these laws. But, my government will never apologise for placing the safety and security of the Malaysian people first.
"These laws are necessary and other countries have since been following our lead," he said.
Najib said the government would continue to put all measures necessary in place and the security forces were on a heightened state of alert.
Earlier, Khalid in his speech said Malaysia had been dauntless in its fight against any act of terror.
"We call upon our neighbours and friends to join us in our resolute fight against terrorism and to deny the terrorists the opportunity to force us to live in fear."