The Home Ministry constantly updates heads of foreign missions on the security situation in the country so as to negate any perception that the government is withholding information, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said information on any incident and that regarded as vital would be automatically conveyed to these diplomats.

“This will negate any perception that we are withholding information and not telling the truth. They have the responsibility to inform their countries and their foreign ministries of the actual security situation and other issues in Malaysia,” he said.

Speaking to the media after opening a briefing for heads of foreign missions on the security situation in Malaysia, the home minister said the ministry and the police were bent on addressing terrorism and other crime.

He also said that not many questions were raised at the session for the 86 heads of foreign missions and seven international organisations because they understood the security situation in the country.

“This is the second briefing this year. We will also hold a series of discussions on the information that has to be updated. Although we are not answerable to them, we have to inform them as a matter of courtesy,” he said.

Ahmad Zahid said the ministry felt that the heads of missions should be kept informed of all the updated information on security and that they should not be left to gather such information from the media.

“I have confidence in the conventional media but some non-conventional media sensationalise information,” he said, citing the example of the drop in the crime rate that did not correspond with a rise in the people’s perception.

The deputy prime minister said preparations had been stepped up for monitoring and eradication of terrorism and other crime through the acquisition of additional equipment and assets.

“The prime minister (Najib Abdul Razak) has also given approval for additional posts in certain units of the police to enhance monitoring and eradication of terrorism and other crime,” he said.

Repeating the warning on the threat posed by Islamic State (IS), Ahmad Zahid said the people must take the threat seriously.

“Awareness campaigns have been carried out but there are groups who claim that it is a political gimmick to distract a certain issue to one involving violence.

“We have no hidden agenda, we tell the people the actual situation. We don’t want any individual to become victims, that’s why the enforcement agencies are taking serious measures,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said exchanges of information were frequently carried out especially with countries that have information that must be shared with Malaysia as well as the United Kingdom, the United States and China including all the Asean member countries.

He said following such exchanges of information, the attempted attack on Marina Bay, Singapore last week had successfully been foiled.

“What happened in Singapore was the result of the sharing of information which came from Indonesia, as such we and the Singapore authorities had taken immediate measures,” he added.

- Bernama