Preparation necessary to counter terrorism
Published on: Monday, October 15, 2018
Sandakan: The Lahad Datu intrusion in March 2013 was an eye opener that made us more aware that terrorism is not just limited in advanced countries.It can occur at any time, without any warning despite us living in a harmonious country like Malaysia.State Minister of Health and People's Wellbeing Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt said during the Lahad Datu incident, responses from the authorities were overwhelming as nobody expected that it would occur in a peaceful state of Sabah.
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He said, the tragedy has triggered many experts to come together and come up with a better strategy on Malaysia's security."Awareness among the multi-agencies had been emphasised so as to prevent damage to the public and environment," he said.However, Wong said he wondered if everything have been done?"It will be never enough because in disaster management, the more you practice, the better you will become," he said.
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He cited several examples that have occurred in other countries, such as the September 11 in the US, Paris mass shooting in 2017 and the Bali bombings in 2002, Such were examples how terrorism has become a threat to the modern world today, he said.It is devastating, he said, that these incidents have caused many deaths, dysfunction to the community, created fear and subsequently paralyses economic activities.
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He said this while officiating at the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Course (CBRNE) Terrorism Awareness and Medical Emergency Consequence Management Workshop 2018 at Dewan Rafflesia, ILKKM in Sandakan, here, recently.Also present were Director General of South East Asia Regional Centre For Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), Dato Azmil Mohd Zabidi, Sabah State Health Department Director, Datuk Dr Christina Rundi, Head of Sabah State Emergency Service, Dr Ahmad Hashim, Hospital Director of Hospital Duchess of Kent, Sandakan, Dr Francis Paul, Co-organiser of CBRNE 2018 course, Datuk Dr Mohamed Alwi Abdul Rahman and Dr Aehtoosham Suleman as well as the speakers of the CBRNE 2018, representatives from Fire and Rescue Department, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, Police Department, Malaysian Red Crescent Society and participants from his ministry.As for CBRNE, Wong said the usage of chemical weapon such as the mustard agent in the Syrian war, anthrax powder in USA to threaten authorities causing more profound effect to the public.Therefore, it is important for everyone to be aware that it is not an isolated event anymore as what we used to believe, he said.In line with this, he said that it is vital and compulsory for everyone to equip themselves with the knowledge and competency to counter this global issue.Quoting Sun Tzu, Wong said "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat."If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.""This quote has a very deep meaning for everyone in dealing with the challenges that we face nowadays." Wong added.The enemies uses weapons comprising chemical, biological, radiological and improvised explosive devices, he said that are the threats that we need to have good understanding in order to manage them well."Hence, we need good support from the police department, the fire brigade department, health care providers, local council and other stakeholders to ensure smoothness in creating awareness and preparedness for it," he stressed."I believe that we are gathered here today to seek one objective, which is to learn as much as possible and create a good link among the agencies," he said.Earlier, Azmil Zabidi said it is important to conduct at least two large drills to rehearse emergency response among related agencies annually.He said, with the exercise, they will be better prepared in dealing with terrorism.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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