Photos by Awang Ali Omar
SANDAKAN: In an aggressive move to combat influx of foreign terrorist fighters (FTF) in Southeast Asia, four countries have stepped up to conduct a joint operation codenamed Maharlika to boost border security.
Taken from a Tagalog word, Maharlika means Filipino community warrior in Luzon.
In the two-week operation, enforcement agencies from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Philippines are expected to keep themselves busy and vigilant by monitoring movement of individuals suspected to be FTF in their respective country from tomorrow.
Federal police Internal Security and Public Order Department director Datuk Seri Zulkifli Abdullah said the operation would be assisted by Interpol (International Criminal Police Organisation) in the aspects of training, sharing of data, and asset preparation.
“Through this Maharlika partnership, Interpol will provide a facility to Malaysia to access 75 million individual data to ensure we receive immediate information,” he said at the launching of Maharlika’s Interpol Operation, here.
He explained Interpol provides a gadget containing data of an individual, adding this allows enforcement personnel to check on a person’s criminal record on the spot during an operation.
“This is an excellent method of information sharing to safeguard Sabah’s security with the operation being focused within the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone.
“What’s more important is this operation will bring a message to FTF that these four Asean countries are united in tackling criminal activities.
“Throughout the operation, security forces from the various security agencies (in respective country) will be able to conduct operation and share information without having to enter neighbouring country waters,” said Zulkifli.
Present at the event were Interpol's director of operational support and analysis Harald Arm; Federal police Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Najmuddin ; and Eastern Sabah Security Command Datuk Hazani Ghazali.
