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Are we prepared
for a terror attack?
AS THE world watched in horror where these people are and little
the Mumbai attacks last week, I is done to trace them. They pose
was left wondering how prepared a national security threat. Anyone
our authorities were to deal with who boards a Komuter train would
such incidents? One may be for- notice that it is crowded and thus
given for saying that our country it becomes an easy target for any-
would not be a target as we are a one wanting to launch an attack,
peaceful nation and our govern- just like in any other country. The
ment maintains good diplomatic only difference is that in Malaysia,
relationships with many countries, anyone can board a train without
but it remains imperative that being checked, this exacerbates
we don’t take this “freedom” for the problem. There are no security
granted and that drastic measures personnel at stations, whether
are taken immediately to raise the LRT or the Komuter. Passengers
security protocols of our country. can bring in anything they want.
It was obvious that Mumbai It must be noted that security
was unprepared for such well around KLIA was only beefed up
organised attacks and the sophis- after a spectacular robbery earlier
ticated firepower of the militants. this year. Does this mean that in
It is important to note that our country, we will only react
India is a nuclear power with a when something happens? Our
billion people and commands a crowded shopping malls are also
huge security force. If India can vulnerable.
be attacked, I believe any country I would like to propose certain
is vulnerable, irrespective of its measures:
diplomatic relationships. » Security personnel be sta-
Terrorists do not think of the tioned at all exit and entry points
repercussions but execute their of busy train stations;
tasks based on personal agendas » Patrons of shopping malls
and ideologies, most of which and other popular hangouts be
we might never understand or monitored closely;
anticipate. » More security cameras be
Security is paramount in a installed at these places and
multiracial society like ours and it “monitored”;
is important that the government » Immediate steps be taken to
enlightens the people on the kind deport illegal immigrants;
of contingency plans it has. Are » A select committee be formed
the people prepared? Are the to monitor and reassess the
security forces prepared? status of our national security and
One should observe the daily the findings be presented to the
lives of an average Malaysian to public; and
understand the huge vulnerabili- » A vulnerabilities risk assess-
ties our country is exposed to in ment report be compiled on the
terms of security. level of threats and the findings
There are huge numbers of be made public
illegal immigrants in our country of
which we know very little and care Rajiv Nambiar
much less about. Nobody knows Kuala Lumpur