The government should give more details on the shocking revelation that some 50 Malaysians have been recruited by Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terrorist network made in an interview between Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Japanese magazine Chuokoron yesterday.

DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang said the revelation was the biggest 'shocker' in the interview, which was also published in the New Straits Times today. Authorities have denied on numerous occasions that the al-Qaeda had any network, link or activities since the Sept 11 attacks.

"With the prime minister's shocking revelation that there are some 50 al-Qaeda operatives and contacts in Malaysia, it is urgent and imperative that police chief Norian Mai fix an early date to give a briefing to DAP leaders and MPs on the network, cells and activities in Malaysia and Osama's extensive reach," said DAP national chairperson Lim Kit Siang.

"I describe this revelation by Mahathir as a 'shocker' as in the past four months since Sept 11 except for one occasion last Thursday both the government and the police had been most strenuous and categorical to deny Osama had any links in Malaysia," he said.

At a press conference today, Mahathir also revealed that the Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia was linked to al-Qaeda. Police gleaned the information from a KMM member who was arrested in a botched bank robbery in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya last year.

Inspector-General of Police Norian Mai said in a press conference Saturday that the 13 men arrested between Dec 9, 2001 and Jan 3, 2002 were alleged to be members of a new KMM wing.

The men are being held on various charges that include a plot to threaten national security and the setting up of a Dauliah Ismaliah (Islamic government).

The 13 militants include bank officers, taxi drivers, businessmen and a school headmaster. They were detained following the arrest last year of 25 members of the KMM which included Nik Adli Nik Aziz, son of PAS spiritual advisor, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Unequivocal condemnation

Lim said that a national strategy and consensus against terrorism must be formed to protect Malaysians regardless of background.

"There should be unequivocal and unconditional condemnation of all forms of terrorism in Malaysia, whether national or international, by all political parties in the country.

"Also there should be a solemn undertaking by all political parties, whether in power or opposition, never to exploit or 'politicise' the issue and war against terrorism for petty, narrow, sectional ends," Lim said.