‘ Check who you hire’
> Security services firms risk losing licence if found employing illegals, criminals
KUALA LUMPUR: Security services companies found hiring workers without valid documents or those involved in criminal activities will have their licence cancelled without warning.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi ( pix) said the stern move is to prevent infiltration by terrorists into the country, Bernama reported.
“The Home Ministry, specifically its security division which issues permits to private security services companies, has tightened procedures for hiring security guards.
“The police also screen each security guard to be hired to avoid what had happened in Sabah from occurring in other places,” he told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, referring to a case recently involving security guards suspected of being members of the Abu Sayyaf militant group who had used fake identity documents to apply for the job.
He was replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Abdul Manan Ismail (BN-Paya Besar) on whether the Home Ministry was reviewing procedures for hiring security guards.
Earlier, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun disclosed that seven Filipinos aged between 22 and 38, suspected of being involved with the Abu Sayyaf group, were arrested in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur on Sept 14. They had been working as security guards with a number of private companies.
Ahmad Zahid said the government had instructed all enforcement agencies, especially those stationed at border areas, to step up security.
To a supplementary question from M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) on the cancellation of the Oktoberfest beer festival over security concerns, he said police had arrested three individuals who had planned an attack on the event.
“That is why the inspector-general of police issued a warning earlier to cancel the event,” he said, adding that the move was made in the interest of the public.
Later in BANGI, Ahmad Zahid said the goverment will not recognise the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Malaysia as the culture is inappropriate here.
“Why must it be the negative values that are raised in the name of freedom of opinion, freedom of expression and human rights?”
“Our country must be molded according to the country’s suitability and requirements,” he said at a National Transformation 2050 dialogue at Universiti Putra Malaysia.