FAC News - Wednesday, October 23, 2002 8:26 AM

Malaysia had a long history of supporting terrorist groups

Malaysia has been accused of having links and of lending support to terrorists groups. This has upset the Malaysian government that has been trying very hard to impress the US on its seriousness in combating “international terrorism”.

Malaysia reacted violently to this report and the book that revealed this was immediately pulled off all the bookshelves. The government even threatened legal action against the author of the book, Dr Rohan Gunaratna.

This revelation was made by a writer that some claim “has no credibility” and therefore cannot be believed. But how credible or incredible is this report and how innocent or guilty is the Malaysian government?

In the 1970s, the Chief Minister of Kelantan State, Dato Asri, said that Malaysia must increase its support to the Thai secession rebels. It was an open secret then that Malaysia was giving sanctuary to the Thai secession movement and many of its leaders operated from within Malaysia’s borders.

This statement upset the Thai government and there was a demonstration at the Sungai Golok crossing where they burnt an effigy of the Chief Minister. No Malaysian dared cross into Thailand for weeks thereafter lest they be mauled by a hostile crowd.

“We view with grave concern the United Nations’ report that clearly implicated the Barisan Nasional (BN) as being involved in the Al Qaeda terrorist network,” said Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, President of the National Justice Party (keADILan), in a press statement yesterday.

“The BN leadership, in particular, its chairman Dr Mahathir, owe the Malaysian public a full and thorough explanation.”

“The Minister of Internal Affairs, Dato’ Seri Abdullah Badawi must ensure that the police conduct thorough investigations on the allegations, professionally. Culprits involved, notwithstanding their position in the party or government must be prosecuted.”

“We reiterate that our common resolve is to condemn and effectively combat terrorism. But we deplore the use of the bogey to terrorism to stifle legitimate political dissent and the arbitrary abuse of the ISA. In fact, to date no evidence has been adduced to justify the arrest and continued detention of the suspects.”

“If this is the basis of arrest, then by the same corollary, the said UN revelation is sufficient to arrest certain suspects in the BN leadership. As such, the government must be more circumspect in invoking the ISA and must immediately release all those against whom they cannot sustain evidence.”

“One would reasonably expect a responsible government to instruct the police to conduct a full and thorough investigation. Dr. Rohan Gunaratna, the author of Inside Al Qaeda, The Global Terror Network, had earlier offered to cooperate with the authorities, citing intelligence sources and willing to name certain BN leaders involved.”

“These are serious allegations and it is therefore perplexing to note the irresponsible manner the issue is being handled,” argued Dr Wan Azizah.

“The failure to conduct investigations would affect the government’s credibility and puts into question its resolve in combating terrorism. Had similar allegations been made against other parties, the police would have acted swiftly and the suspects arrested under ISA.”

“What is being alleged against the BN is that certain leaders were involved in covert operations in assisting militant groups undermining the security of neighbouring countries.”

“We therefore reiterate our demand that the government conduct a full and thorough investigation on the allegations.”

In his daily column, renowned Malaysian journalist MGG Pillai said yesterday, “The Mindanao Muslim demand for autonomy, and Manila's claim to Sabah, were issues Kuala Lumpur and Manila exploited to the fullest. But it is Kuala Lumpur alone that is blamed, because it dealt with, and backed with funds and other support, the Muslim irredentists.” 

“The late Sabah Chief Minister, Tun Mustapha bin Datu Harun, openly backed the Mindanao rebels. Malaysia gave shelter to several Mindanao rebels.” 

“I have met many a secessionist Muslim Filipino leader in Kuala Lumpur at the time,” said Pillai. “All had Malaysian passports issued in Kota Kinabalu.” 

“The Moro National Liberation Front leader, Mr Nur Misuari, when I interviewed him in Tripoli, Libya, in 1976, was there on a Malaysian passport.”

”When the MNLF split, a new separatist group called the Moro Islamic Liberation Front was formed, with as much support from Malaysian politicians and groups as the MNLF had. That support remains.” 

“When the Abu Sayyaf group seized tourists from a disputed island off Sabah a few years ago, the former Chief Minister of Sabah, Dato Yong Teck Lee, and the current Deputy Minister of Education, Dato Aziz Shamsuddin, backed by sundry Sabah and Federal politicians, were deeply involved in the negotiations to have them released.” 

“There is more to their presence, as of others high in the government, than meets the eye.”

Pillai’s allegation is supported by some members of Malaysia’s military.

“Of course we helped the Thai and Filipino rebels,” said retired Colonel, Yunos Othman.

“I was in charge of airlifting arms and ammunition to them. We would operate in the wee hours of the morning to avoid detection.”

“Our camp was in Sabah where we also trained the rebels. My Boss was General Hassan.”

“The Thai and Philippines governments knew about it and I was advised not to go to these countries as there was a price on my head. I would probably have been shot if I had gone to Thailand or the Philippines.”

As Dr Wan Azizah said, the Malaysian government needs to come clean and bring the culprits to book if the allegations are true. However, if there is no evidence of any Malaysians being involved in terrorism, then the ISA detainees who have been accused of terrorism should be immediately released so that they can go home to their families.