Malaysia has called on the international community to look into the root causes of terrorism, extremism and militancy and come up with a plan to tackle these issues.

NONE In a statement issued today following the demise of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, Foreign Minister Anifah Aman ( left ) said Malaysia believed that terrorism could be dealt with effectively by addressing the conditions that bred it.

"To do so, it is important to emphasise on education in order to overcome ignorance, backwardness and illiteracy and also to provide the opportunity to escape poverty.

"At the same time, it is also important to undertake efforts to resolve conflicts and repression, which contribute to terrorism," he said.

Malaysia, he said, took note of the demise of Osama in an operation carried out by United States forces in Abottabad, Pakistan on May 1.

He said Osama's death served as a lesson that violence was not the right way to achieve one's aims. "Osama's death might not be a death blow for the terrorist organisation, Al-Qaeda.

However, Osama's loss would affect Al-Qaeda's strength as he was the inspiration and basis of the movement.

"It is our hope that the world would be a more peaceful, safer and just place following the demise of Osama."

  Territorial integrity

Anifah said Malaysia had always maintained that measures against international terrorism should not infringe upon the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

"Terrorism should also not be associated with any race, culture or religion as this will only heighten the possibility of a world being polarised along religious or ethnic lines, which in turn would propagate further unrest and violence."

He said the Malaysian government was against all forms of extremist acts as they were against Islamic principles, while killing of civilians was strictly denounced in the Islamic faith.

"Although there are things that need to be righted in terms of justice, we cannot fight for it by means of killing innocent civilians. Muslims should use their intelligence, practise wasatiyyah (moderation) and reject violence," he said.

Anifah said Malaysia would continue to monitor and take decisive action to guard against the spread of religious extremism and fanaticism by promoting tolerance among diverse communities and religions, and by emphasising moderation and propagating the true teachings of Islam.

- Bernama