Citing the increasing threat of terrorism in the country, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said the government will never apologise for implementing a slew of security laws in recent years, despite the criticism they received.

"The latest spate of terror-related incidents around the world is proof that terrorism is, if anything, an even greater threat than in the past," he said.

"In our region, Jakarta was hit in January, and I have said repeatedly that we are far from immune to this danger in Malaysia," he said.

He said this was the reason the government passed the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (Pota) and the National Security Council Act 2016.

"We were criticised by some quarters for passing some of these laws.

"But my government will never apologise for placing the safety and security of Malaysians first," he said.

The prime minister said this at the opening ceremony of the 36th Aseanapol Conference in Putrajaya.

"These laws are necessary and other countries have since been following our lead."

The laws have aided the authorities in monitoring possible terrorists and IS sympathisers, he said.

Najib said Asean countries need to enhance their cooperation beyond national boundaries in order to place greater emphasis on information sharing.

They need to build up a regional law enforcement capabilities, in their common fight against terrorism, he said.

"We need to re-examine Aseanapol's (Asean Association of Chiefs of Police) strategy in supporting the Asean Security Committee (ASC), the guarantor of a peaceful and stable Southeast Asia," he added.

The week-long conference is held amidst security threat faced in the region, included Sabah kidnappings and IS threat.