Malaysia will host an international workshop on deradicalisation in January next year which focuses on changing attitudes, thinking and neutralising those involved in radical activities or terrorism.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the workshop would focus on detainees under the Security Offences (Special Measures) (Amendment) 2015 Act (Sosma), Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

"A study by Malaysia and Indonesia found that 80 per cent of terrorists got involved (in terrorist activities), especially in Syria and Iraq, not because of influence on their religious faith but due to escapism factors," he told a press conference after attending a gathering with the Malaysian community at the Malaysian embassy in Jakarta, today.

Also present were his wife Hamidah Khamis, the Foreign Ministry's deputy secretary-general Ibrahim Abdullah, Home Ministry's deputy secretary-general Wan Ali Besar and the Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Zahrain Mohamed Hashim.

Ahmad Zahid (photo) , who is also the home minister, said Malaysia had invited Indonesia as among the countries of reference for the creation of the deradicalisation programme.

He said the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and others were the source countries of international terrorists abroad.

"The deradicalisation programme is important so that the template can be used as a standard at the international level.

"Malaysia has a long experience in deradicalisation. We had declared an Emergency period from 1948 to 1960. From the experience we gained (in fighting insurgency)... we had changed the thinking of the communist terrorists, the Islamic militants and radical groups.

"We will provide 18 titles that will become the theme of the methods to be used in the deradicalisation programme," he said.

The workshop will also draw up the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address the issue effectively, and it involves two levels, with the first being the key administrators in countering terrorism.

"It also involves the ministers responsible for anti-terrorism, internal security or defence," said the deputy prime minister.

He said Malaysia and Indonesia had agreed to collaborate in the deradicalisation effort.

Ahmad Zahid is on a four-day working visit to Indonesia since Friday. It is his first official trip abroad since appointed deputy prime minister on July 28.

- Bernama