PETALING JAYA: The introduction of two Bills related to ­anti-terrorism is proof of the country’s seriousness in combating such crimes, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said Parliament passed the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) and the Special Measures Against Terrorism in Foreign Countries (better known as the Foreign Fighters Bill) recently.

The laws, he said, were needed to curb the spread of the Islamic State and other terror elements.

“Although Pota is a preventive law, its rehabilitation and de-radicalisation clause also gave the individuals involved an opportunity to return to society.

“The same approach was also used in the Internal Security Act, which has since been abolished,” he said at the United Nations ­yesterday. Dr Ahmad Zahid was speaking at the ministerial-level open briefing on the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2178.

The event, which was held at the UN headquarters in New York, was chaired by the Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius.

It also marked the first time the UN Security Council session was open to security or home ministers.

The introduction of the new laws, he said, were in accordance with Resolution 2178, which was passed on Sept 24 last year.

He also told the council that 107 Malaysians, including 16 foreigners, were detained since February 2013 for their involvement with the IS.

“A total of 63 Malaysians have gone to Syria to join the terror group while 11 of them have been killed there,” he added.

He also said that Malaysia was planning to implement the Advanced Passenger Screening System (APSS) to enable stricter checks on foreigners coming into the country.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said Malaysia, as the Asean chair, would also host an Asean special meeting to address the issue of the rise in radicalisation and terrorism on Oct 2.

He also met Interpol secretary-general Jurgen Stock and both men discussed several issues, including modern policing and the need to share information with Interpol, especially on those who had gone to Iraq and Syria.

“Interpol will use its regional office in Singapore to increase cooperation with Malaysia to combat trans-border crimes, especially cybercrimes.”-thestar