CODEL SMITH MALAYSIA MEETING REPORT

UNCLAS KUALA LUMPUR 000152

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE PASS H

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OREP PTER MY
SUBJECT: CODEL SMITH MALAYSIA MEETING REPORT

Summary
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1. (U) Congressman Adam Smith, accompanied by staff of the
House Armed Services Subcommittee on Terrorism,
Unconventional Threats and Capabilities, visited Malaysia
January 6-8, 2008 as part of a regional tour. The
Congressman met with Malaysian NSC Secretary YBhg. Dato'
Muhammad Hatta Bin Abd. Aziz, Internal Security Minister
Deputy Director General YBhg. Datuk Ahmad Fuad bin Ab. Aziz,
and Defense Intelligence Staff Directorate Director General
LTG Dato' Mohd Salleh bin Hj Ismail. In each of his
meetings, Congressman Smith expressed his eagerness to learn
how the United States could improve its relationship with the
Muslim world. He also solicited his interlocutors'
assessment of the most important threats faced by Malaysia.
End Summary.

Internal Security
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2. (SBU/FOUO) Malaysian NSC Secretary Hatta described the
NSC's role not as operational, but as coordinating GOM policy
on maritime, border and cyber-security as well as disaster
management. Hatta pointed to weak disaster preparedness and
terrorism in the tri-border region as his greatest security
concerns. Regarding the latter, Hatta highlighted the
effectiveness of international information sharing along with
the use of Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA) to detain
as well as to rehabilitate suspects. Hatta acknowledged that
lawyers on both sides were arguing over the legitimacy of the
ISA, particularly given human rights concerns stemming from
the ISA security screening process.


3. (SBU/FOUO) Internal Security Ministry Deputy Secretary
General Fuad briefed Congressman Smith on the recent history
of his Ministry and offered an overview of the international
conventions that it was charged to enforce. Fuad, like
Hatta, praised the good working relationship between the
police and U.S. interlocutors. The police, he noted, were
the lead agency in Malaysia's counterterrorism efforts. Of a
total of 130 terrorist suspects they have detained under ISA,
46 suspects remain in detention since 2001. When asked about
the GOM's not having prosecuted any suspects, despite the
new, tougher criminal statutes now on the books, Fuad replied
that before a case is brought to public trial, police and
prosecutors will work on "test cases." Finally, Fuad signaled
the relevance of border committee meetings in strengthening
bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and its tri-border
neighbors, the Philippines and Indonesia.

Southern Thailand, Southern Philippines
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4. (SBU/FOUO) NSC Hatta said of the Southern Thai situation
that he believed the fundamental question involved
recognition and resolution of the local grievances of ethnic
and religious minority Malay Muslims. Hatta cited existing
military-to-military contact between Malaysia and Thailand
and the GOM's continuing engagement with the Thai government.
Hatta suggested it would be useful to develop partnerships
with regional players in order to help stem illegal
immigration in the plantation and restaurant sectors.


5. (SBU/FOUO) Military Intelligence DG LTG Salleh mentioned
that his Military Intelligence Directorate was looking at
ways to become more involved in counterterrorism,
characterizing Malaysia as being "in the middle of an active
area." He sounded a more pessimistic note, pointing to
on-going corruption, mistreatment and excessive use of force
by the Thai military in the South. Salleh drew parallels
between Aceh, Southern Thailand, and the Southern
Philippines. He argued that the situations require "removing
the basis for resistance," by reducing disparities in wealth
and bringing education, development and marketable skills to
the aggrieved local population. Salleh further said of the
Southern Philippines that while working level contacts were
good, the policy level was "stuck," adding that "leaders were
not serious; were pulling out."

Meeting Malaysian Opinion Leaders and Embassy Staff
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6. (SBU) Prior to meeting GOM officials Codel Smith held
extensive consultations with all Embassy offices involved in
counterterrorism efforts. Following the day's meetings, the
Ambassador hosted a dinner in the Congressman's honor, to
meet socially with Malaysian opinion leaders,
Parliamentarians and other officials. Before departing
Malaysia, the Codel briefly toured the world's tallest twin
towers, the Petronas Towers, as well as one of Kuala Lumpur's
oldest mosques, Masjid Jamek.

Embassy Comment
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7. (SBU/FOUO) Congressman Smith's visit provided Malaysian
authorities with an important opportunity to hear a distinct
Washington perspective and to share their views on vital
security issues with a particularly receptive interlocutor.
It also afforded post the chance to underscore for the Codel
the value of robust engagement with our interlocutors in this
strategically important Muslim-majority nation. End Comment.


8. (U) Congressman Smith has approved this message.

KEITH