All quarters should set aside their ideological and political differences to make sure radicalism, extremism and militarism do not set root in the country said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said that the government especially Home Ministry and Defence Ministry are doing what they can to safeguard Malaysian security and would need cooperation from all political entities and media practitioners to play their role.

"Set aside the difference in our political ideologies. We must also set aside our own gains, set by the narrow-minded among us.

"We know that security issues are being politicised by them," he said when closing the Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (Midas) conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Without naming anyone, Zahid also encourage the media, operating in print and on the Internet, to play their roles in bringing the people together to ensure the safety of the country.

"Media must help promoting the sense of belonging among Malaysians," he said.

The day conference united security agencies from both ministries with the aim of finding better solutions to curb the ‘faceless threats’ of radicalism which are crippling countries in the middle east.

Zahid reiterated the call for the social media users to behave better and practise ethics like those in the mainstream media.

He also warned online portals not to play with fire on security issues.

The home minister disclosed that until now, 131 individuals have been placed behind bars under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota), in the fight to curb radicalism, extremism and militarism.

"Now there are 131 individuals are being detained, not only investigated remotely.

"If we don't hold them, I am worried that this country would not be stable, but would be in chaos," he said.

He gave examples of Malaysians who brought their families to Syria to fight with the Islamic State terrorists.

"Islam did not teach people to kill and disassociate themselves from civilised administration," he asserted.