KDN Views Espionage By Foreign Elements A Serious Matter - Saifuddin Nasution

KUALA LUMPUR,  Aug 21 -- The Home Ministry (KDN) views the threat of espionage by foreign elements as a serious matter that could jeopardise national security and has put in place comprehensive preventive and intervention measures to counter it.

Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said espionage activities, including the unauthorised acquisition of sensitive information, are a significant security concern that must be addressed holistically, in line with measures taken by other countries.

“Espionage has its own modus operandi, beginning with identifying targets, gathering data and conducting profiling, understanding organisational structures, recruiting insiders, or infiltrating through various channels, including posing as tourists.

“Some insiders cooperate for rewards, while others are forced through threats. There are also cases where insiders are recruited by instilling ideology,” he said during the Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was responding to a question from Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu), who asked about preventive and intervention measures to counter espionage threats against national security.

According to Saifuddin Nasution, espionage activities are also increasingly detected in cyberspace.

“They may use phishing, malware or spyware to secretly gain access to information systems and steal data bit by bit. The information is then sent back to their handlers through the dark web or encrypted communication. To ordinary people, it may not be obvious, as they use highly sophisticated coding systems,” he explained.

 Taking the example of an espionage case that occurred on Sept 28, 2022, involving a local woman, Nidarahayu Zainal, he said the victim was recruited by the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, to kidnap two Palestinians in Malaysia.

Citing an espionage case that occurred on Sept 28, 2022,  Saifuddin Nasution said a local woman, by the name of Nidarahayu Zainal, was recruited by Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, to kidnap two Palestinians in Malaysia.

"Nidarahayu, who only has an SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) qualification, and is a mother of three, was recruited to kidnap them.` We were able to save the two Palestinian men, and Nidarahayu was arrested and is now on trial.

“ This is an example of how espionage can be orchestrated for political purposes," he said.

To counter such threats, he said KDN has implemented a three-tier strategy covering prevention, detection and enforcement.`

“Prevention is done by monitoring suspected individuals, enhancing the cyber capabilities of intelligence agencies, and cooperating with international bodies such as Interpol and ASEANapol.

“Enforcement is by applying various existing laws, including the Official Secrets Act, the Penal Code, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) and the Communications and Multimedia Act,” he

Responding to a supplementary question from Roy Angau on action against foreign spies detained in Malaysia, Saifuddin Nasution said they would be deported after serving their sentences.

“We will deport them and place them on the blacklist. If there is an extradition agreement with their country of origin and they are wanted there, we will extradite them,” he said, adding that Malaysia has extradition agreements with 11 countries, including the United States, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia.

When asked by Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh) about the number of foreign intelligence agents operating in Malaysia, Saifuddin Nasution said their presence is difficult to detect due to the highly secretive and organised nature of their operations.

“That’s why we rely on these three approaches. We must continuously enhance our intelligence capabilities. In fact, Malaysia has developed strong competence in detection,” he said.

He added that Malaysia’s intelligence strength is crucial as the country is not exempt from being targeted by foreign powers, particularly given the firm stance of  Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and several national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on global issues, including strong support for Palestine.