ASIA/MALAYSIA - A new anti-terrorism law to stop the influence of IS

Kuala Lumpur (Agenzia Fides) - The Islamic State, the extremist group that sows terror in the Middle East, is scary even in Southeast Asia. Malaysia's new anti-terrorism act that will be tabled in parliament this month will include provisions that allow for detention without trial and the implementation of the Electronic Monitoring Device.
As Fides learns, the power to decide whether or not the person will be detained or put under restrictive residence will be decided by an advisory board. Also the movement of the person detained can be monitored: the measures are intended to increase preventive controls.
According to some activists and lawyers, the new law would further limit personal freedoms. "There are laws that allow the government to stop people from leaving the country to join terror groups ", said Andrew Khoo, who heads the BAR Council Human Rights Committee.
Malaysia has arrested at least 36 citizens suspected of militancy since April last year. At least 30 are believed to be in Syria and Iraq, fighting for extremist groups. Last year, the Malaysian government presented a "White Paper on terrorism" affirming the urgent need to act immediately at a legislative and operational level "to contain the influence of the Islamic State (IS) in Malaysia". The bill is a response to this threat. 64% of the population in Malaysia is Muslim. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 03/03/2015)