The Registrar of Societies (ROS) is to step up collaboration with the police to identify illegal organisations for fear of the threat they can pose to national security.

ROS assistant director Rosliza Mahidi said unregistered organisations were usually highly likely to engage in activities that could undermine peace in the country.

She warned of severe action against organisations which did not register under the Societies Act 1966, saying any of them found to be engaging in activities detrimental to peace and order would be subject to police investigation.

Rosliza said this after giving a briefing on the importance of registered organisations to more than 200 people at the Home Ministry complex hall in Kangar yesterday.

She said ROS also worked with agencies such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to act against illegal organisations active on social media.

She advised unregistered organisations to register with ROS immediately because illegal organisations were prohibited from carrying out any activity.

- Bernama