THE HOME Ministry will review the facts related to a move by the US’ Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to list three leaders of Islamic non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Malaysia in its Terrorist Screening Centre (TSC).
The centre, which is a division of the FBI’s National Security Branch, is tasked with identifying suspected or potential terrorists around the world.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that he has contacted Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Razarudin Husain regarding the matter to get a more accurate picture of the situation.
“I only found out about the matter two days ago and I have contacted the IGP for a more accurate picture of the matter.
“What we know is that the FBI made a request (to Malaysia) on this matter,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.
“So, we have to check the exact facts first. I am not ready to give false or vague facts.”
He said this at a press conference after officiating the opening ceremony of the Immigration Department’s passport office in the Shaftsbury Putrajaya Mall at Precinct 1, Putrajaya, today.
The inclusion of the three individuals in the TSC became public after the Foreign Ministry issued a letter to Op Ihsan, an organisation under the ministry focused on giving aid to Palestine and the Middle East.
A copy of the letter, notifying Op Ihsan about the trio’s status and directing that it stops further involvement by them in its activities, has gone viral over the past few days.
The FBI explains on its website that the TSC is intended to keep the American people safe by sharing terrorism-related information across the US government and with other law enforcement agencies.
It was created as a consolidated watchlist after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Most people on the terrorism watchlist are not Americans, the FBI said, and they have no known connection to the US.
“For security reasons, the TSC does not confirm anyone’s status on the watchlist,” it adds.
“Internal and external auditors regularly review the TSC’s work to ensure all laws and policies are being followed and that the information on the watchlist is accurate.”
On another matter, Saifuddin said that the Home Ministry is conducting a study on the feasibility of increasing the validity period of the Malaysian passport from the present five years to 10 years.
He said that a comprehensive study will be conducted by getting feedback from various quarters.
He noted that there are countries in the Southeast Asian region, including Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore, that have implemented the validity period of up to 10 years for their respective passports.
He said that a survey will be carried out to get information that can help the government arrive at a proper decision on the policy pertaining to the duration of the Malaysian passport.
“However, priority is to be given to studying the matter first,” he said. – The Vibes, February 19, 2024
