KUALA LUMPUR: Police will intensify efforts to curb the spread of extremist ideologies in Malaysia, ensuring incidents like the Ulu Tiram attack do not recur, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He emphasised the dangers of extreme ideologies, including the act of labelling others as infidels (kafir), which poses a significant threat to societal harmony.
"If asked whether police can handle incidents like the Ulu Tiram police station attack, of course, they can, drawing on their 216 years of extensive experience in handling such cases," he said.
Saifuddin elaborated on the measures being taken, noting that the police were developing comprehensive profiles to mitigate the growth of extremism.
"The police will continue to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent the spread of extreme ideologies," he said during the minister's question time in Dewan Rakyat, today.
Saifuddin said this in response to a supplementary question from Dr Abd Ghani Ahmad (PN-Jerlun) who asked about the government's efforts to counter the threat of new forms of terrorism which exist among terrorist groups in Malaysia.
Reflecting on the Ulu Tiram incident, he highlighted that the attacker and his family had isolated themselves from the community, driven by their belief that others were infidels.
"They did not go to school, attend the mosque, or interact with the community, believing that government institutions were linked to infidels," he explained.
In May this year, two policemen; Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, and Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24, were killed in the Ulu Tiram police station attack.
The attack was carried out by a 21-year-old Malaysian, later identified as a lone wolf unassociated with any group.
The assailant also shot and injured another policeman, Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, before being shot dead.
Meanwhile, five family members of the suspect involved were charged with committing offences relating to terrorism under Chapter 6A of the Penal Code.
The five suspects were arrested under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).