US Proposes Regional Anti-terrorism Center in Malaysia

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, July 30, 2002

US Proposes Regional Anti-terrorism Center in Malaysia

Malaysia and the United States are looking into the possibility of setting up a regional center to coordinate anti-terrorism activities, a Malaysian minister said Tuesday.

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Malaysia and the United States are looking into the possibility of setting up a regional center to coordinate anti-terrorism activities, a Malaysian minister said Tuesday.

The proposal was mooted by visiting US Secretary of State ColinPowell during a meeting here, Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar told reporters after the meeting.

"They (US) asked about the possibility of working closer to make Malaysia a regional center for activities to counter terrorism ... to have some institute-like (body) which becomes a place for discussion and deliberation," Syed Hamid said.

He added the proposed center would be jointly manned by Malaysian and US officials.

Earlier, at a brief joint press conference with Powell, Syed Hamid said that both countries would be looking into specific areas of cooperation to enhance efforts to combat terrorism.

"We have worked effectively and strongly, we are very happy with that relationship and now we are looking into specific areas of working together," he said.

"We are looking forward to having something substantive betweenthe United States and Malaysia where we can cover the region's forum of discussions for exchange of views." he said.

Asked by a US reporter about the extradition of Malaysian suspects in the September 11 attacks on the United States, Syed Hamid said the United States could use the normal channel set up between the two countries for that purpose.

Powell, who arrived here Monday night for a brief visit, also called on Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Meanwhile, when asked on human rights for Malaysian suspects detained for terrorism activities, Powell said they must be treated in consistence with the universal standard of human rights.

Syed Hamid, in reply to this question, said, "Malaysia places alot of importance on human rights and has so far been exercising the universal standard of human rights and at the same time looking at the national interest from the national perspective."

Syed Hamid reiterated that the Internal Security Act (ISA) was only used to preserve peace and stability in the country and not for political purposes.

On the West Asian issue, Powell reiterated that the United States would seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Syed Hamid described the meeting as very constructive and fruitful.

Powell, who is on an eight-day tour of Asia, is scheduled to depart for Singapore later Tuesday before proceeding to Brunei to attend the Asean Regional Forum.

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