KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, April 26, 2002: Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday denounced terrorism, reiterating that Malaysia would remain a moderate Muslim nation, during the installation of the country’s new king. The Malaysian authorities have jailed 62 people in the past year alleged to have belonged to an extremist group that plotted to overthrow the government. Some of the detainees are accused of planning to blow up US targets in neighboring Singapore, and one, Yazid Sufaat, is said to have let two of the Sept 11 hijackers use his apartment in 2000. Dr Mahathir said that the Malaysian government would continue to uphold Islam as the country’s main religion, but it would also ensure freedom of worship for the followers of other religions in Malaysia. He added that any group which uses Islam to serve personal or political interests will be subjected to government action.
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