Police will step up security in various important locations in the country following the death of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in an operation in Pakistan today.

Federal police assistant director of management (public relations) ACP Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said this was to ensure residents of Malaysia could live freely without worries of threats from any quarters.

azlan "Police have also heightened security measures in sensitive areas... if an area needs more security, it will be done," he told Bernama when contacted.

He said this when asked to comment on a report that the United States government had put all its embassies on alert following Osama's death.

US President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden was killed in a firefight with US-led forces at a hideout outside Islamabad earlier today and that his body was in US custody.

'Death not the end of Al-Qaeda'

Meanwhile, AFP reports, prime minister said today that the death of Osama bin Laden may not mean the end of Al-Qaeda, warning that the late militant kingpin would remain a figurehead for jihadists.

"This does not mean that Al-Qaeda will be destroyed as they are capable of reorganising and he will remain an inspiration to such militants," Najib Razak told reporters.

azlan "I hope that people realise that terrorism is not how you change things for the better as it only gives a bad name to Islam. As an Islamic country, we must show that such actions are unacceptable," he added.

Earlier, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said bin Laden's death could provide an opportunity for "greater peace and universal harmony".

He said it was important to understand the reasons behind the birth of militant movements, some of which still operate in the region.

Najib said although there was no present threat by Al-Qaeda in the country, action would be taken should the need arise.

"At the moment we do not have any Al-Qaeda in our country but the police will be monitoring the situation and will act if there are parties who take any actions or show sympathy towards Osama bin Laden," he said.

Malaysia and Saudi Arabia last month signed a security and intelligence sharing agreement geared towards stopping terrorism.

Najib has said his government would tighten security to prevent a resurgence of JI, which is blamed for a string of major attacks in the region including the 2002 Bali bombings in neighbouring Indonesia.

- Agencies

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