KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 7 — The role of Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) will be enhanced to become a leading reference point for counter terrorism work in the region, said Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
The minister said SEARCCT, under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, have been told to work closely and strengthen cooperation with organisations sharing similar functions as SEARCCT in the ASEAN region.
“I have also asked SEARCCT to strengthen work in three areas namely research, publication and training,” he told a press conference after a working visit to SEARCCT here, today.
Saifuddin said he has asked SEARCCT to adopt the ‘peaceful co-existence’ approach as a new way in dealing with religious radicalism.
“Peaceful co-existence is a new approach and I hope that SEARCCT will take the effort in enhancing the understanding of Malaysians and the region on why peaceful co-existence is important,” he said.
He said that it is also important for SEARCCT to give importance on the element of cyber security to monitor the influence of terrorism happening online.
SEARCCT, established in 2003, serves as a regional counter-terrorism centre focusing primarily on training, capacity-building, research, digital counter messaging and public awareness programmes.
