Malaysia's Success In Deradicalisation Of Extremists Caught Attention Of Commowealth Leaders - DPM

From MOHD RAZMAN ABDULLAH VALLETTA (MALTA), Nov 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's success rate in the deradicalisation of extremists and terrorists, which stands at 95 percent, caught the attention of leaders attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2015 in Malta. In this regard, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysia would be organising a two-day international conference on deradicalisation from Jan 25 next year to share the country's experience in rehabilitating extremist individuals. He said during a presentation on the country's success in rehabilitating these groups at the CHOGM's retreat, the leaders of the 53 Commonwealth member countries had expressed their interest to learn from Malaysia. Ahmad Zahid who is also the Home Minister said Malaysia had a long and extensive experience in rehabilitating people who were involved in terrorism, since the days of the Communist threat. "Malaysia has also long been facing the threats of extremists and terrorists from regional countries such as southern Thailand, southern Philippines and Indonesia," he told Malaysian reporters, Sunday. Ahmad Zahid said the government was confident of achieving a 100 percent recovery rate when further and detailed actions are implemented. He said the issue of deradicalisation arose when the leaders of the member countries discussing about violence and among other issues discussed were climate change and migration. Commenting on the conference, Ahmad Zahid said the government would invite several agencies involved in the implementation of the deradicalisation process including the Prisons Department, police, the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Malaysian Islamic Development Department and ulama (Islamic scholars). Regarding the Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC) chairman Kishva Ambigapathy's intention to relocate the CYC secretariat from Sri Lanka to Kuala Lumpur, Zahid expressed his willingness to help realise the desire. "We agree with the proposal and we are ready to try to find provisions for the establishment of the secretariat," he said. The CHOGM 2015 addresses issues such as climate change, migration, extremism, the empowerment of youth, gender equality and human rights. With its theme, ‘Adding Global Value, The CHOGM 2015' seeks to use the Commonwealth’s strengths in international politics to influence and effect change on important global issues. -- BERNAMA