Daesh: French Ambassador Confident With Security Provided By M'sian Authorities

By Tengku Faezah Tengku Yusof KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- French Ambassador to Malaysia Christophe Penot voiced his confidence on the security level provided by Malaysian police and authorities for the foreign community in the country, following the recent attacks carried out by Daesh on an entertainment outlet in Puchong, a town in the Petaling district of Malaysia's Selangor state. Penot believed that the Malaysian authorities had taken all the necessary measures to protect not only its citizens but also the foreign community in Malaysia, including the French community of around 3,500. "I think the level of awareness of threat in Malaysia is very high among the authorities. And I believe that they are doing their best to control the situation. "It is very difficult though, as there is no such thing as ‘zero risk’ when we speak about extreme violence,” he told Bernama in an interview in conjunction with France's 227th National Day celebration Thursday. Police confirmed that the grenade explosion at the entertaiment centre at IOI Boulevard on June 28 was the work of Daesh militants, the first such incident in Malaysia. At least eight people were injured in the explosion. The ambassador also commended Malaysia for calling on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to convene an emergency meeting of foreign ministers to discuss terror attacks in Islamic countries. On July 6, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman had said the ministry had conveyed the request to the OIC to hold the meeting as soon as possible but had yet to receive any confirmation on the proposed meeting. The ambassador stressed that the emergency meeting would be an important forum to counter the Daesh propaganda and ideology, pointing out that Daesh was very strong in manipulating and reaching out to the people through the Internet and this was very difficult to control. "In this aspect, Malaysia which promotes moderation, has an important role to play as one of the Muslim countries outside the Arab world,” Penot said. However he would like to see more commitment from other Muslim countries as well, in order to work together in addressing the international problem. On the French national day, celebrated on July 14 every year, Penot expected around 300 guests to attend, including ambassadors and high commissioners, diplomats and Malaysian VIPs. Some 270 French companies are also expected to be involved in the event, he said. “It is a very important celebration for us to showcase the (French) food, products, and culture and to say 'thank you' to all Malaysians who have been working with us for the past years,” he added. (photoBERNAMA) -- BERNAMA