MALAYSIANS should not exploit issues relating to religion, race, special privileges, and the Malay rulers as it would prompt certain parties to launch an attack on the country, said Special Branch counter-terrorism division’s principal assistant director Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.

“We want to stress that no parties in Malaysia should exploit issues concerning religion, race, special rights, and the Malay rulers for their own benefit because these issues can trigger certain parties to attack,” he said.

Ayob said there are suspects related to the Islamic State that the police have arrested for attempting to launch attacks following racial and religious issues that had been played up.

When asked about the possibility of an attack similar to the Christchurch shooting in Malaysia, Ayob said it could take place if issues were left to be exploited.

He however said the Malaysian police are fast to take action.

“We will arrest those who try to spark racial issues and they will be charged in court,” he said.

Ayob said many had doubted some arrests the police had made, but he stressed that those were necessary early steps.

“Sometimes, they question why the police arrest suspects that only have reading material. Why do they arrest those that are only planning (an attack)?

“But we can see, especially from the Christchurch shooting where 49 people were killed, how the early signs of issues were not handled thoroughly and sternly,” he said.

He said he does not want Malaysia to be a launching pad for terrorist attacks and extremism.

Ayob said the Christchurch shooting was a prime example, as the attack was done by an Australian who came to New Zealand.

“That is why we take swift action. We will not tolerate any suspects who make Malaysia a base. We have to take stern action.”

Two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, were allegedly attacked by 28-year-old Australian Brenton Tarrant yesterday. 49 people were killed in the shooting.

Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah had earlier confirmed that three Malaysians were injured, while a youth is still missing.

He identified the three injured as Tarmizi Shuib, 46, from Kedah; Rahimi Ahmad, 39; and Mohd Nazril Hisham bin Omar, 46.

Tarmizi’s son, Muhd Haziq Tarmizi, 17, is still missing following the shootings, while a younger son, Muhd Haris, 12, is at a children’s hospital receiving treatment for trauma. – March 16, 2019.