IF there is a lesson to be learned from the deadly terror attacks on two New Zealand mosques, it is the need for the country to keep track of all extremists, foreign and domestic said James Masing

The Sarawak deputy chief minister said in the terror attack in Christchurch, which killed 49 people, the New Zealand security and intelligence services “had obviously been sidetracked by the belief that white supremacists aren’t violent”, in reference to reports that a known Australian white supremacist had entered the country to carry out the mass killing.

“Thus none of them were in their watch list.”

He said perhaps the New Zealand security and intelligence services’ focus were on Islamist extremists and they forgot that there are other religious and racial extremists in other groups too.

“Prejudices against religion or race could have prevented them from knowing other forms of dangers right under their noses.

“The ideology of white supremacy, as expounded by some world leaders, one of whom is Donald Trump (the US president), is the oxygen which allows this belief to live and spread in the world.

“We must stop this ideology and hate rhetoric by preventing these leaders from showing their ugly heads in the open,” Masing said.

He, however, said many white-controlled nations are blinded by their religious and racial prejudices to take white supremacists seriously.

Masing said the Christchurch attack serves as a reminder to be vigilant against all forms of extremism, including those of a racial and religious nature.

“For security intelligence to be effective, it must be religious and racially blind. Dangers come from all corners,” he said.

Masing has cause for concern after police last week said a 76-year-old Egyptian who ran a restaurant in the market town of Serian, about 62km from Kuching, was arrested as a terror suspect planning attacks in the country.

He was among nine terror suspects, including six Egyptians and one Tunisian, who were arrested in Klang Valley and Sarawak between February 2 and February 9.

Works Minister Baru Bian, in his reaction to the mass killings, said the “senseless tragedy” should be a reminder to Malaysians to maintain and preserve our racial and religious harmony.

Baru, who said he was “shocked and saddened” in a statement yesterday, said the shooting is “a heinous crime which all right-minded people condemn strongly”.

He also offered his condolences to the victims and their families and “pray that the outpouring of love and support from peace-loving New Zealanders and global citizens will provide a small measure of comfort to them”. – March 16, 2019.