The Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter Terrorism (SEARCCT) was officially launched on 1st July 2003 by the Honourable Dato’ Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia.
SEARCCT serves as a major Centre in the region to train and build the capacity of enforcement and security officials from Governments in the region and beyond, with collaboration with other Governments and international organizations. The Centre not only promotes capacity building in the region, but also showcases Malaysia’s perspective on the most effective means of dealing with the issue of terrorism. These include the need to seek an internationally-recognized definition of terrorism, studying the root causes of terrorism, promoting the need to deal with terrorism in a comprehensive manner rather than solely relying on a military solution, and the need to “win the hearts and minds” in the long-term struggle over international terrorism.
SEARCCT has also been actively involved in attempting to change the mindset and paradigm of those who believe that the war on terror can only be won through military means. The Centre has utilized various training courses, conferences, seminars and forums to discuss an disseminate the root causes of terrorism, arguing that the campaign against terrorism requires a multi-pronged and multi-faceted approach.
The Centre also researches on various issues with regard to terrorism in the area of the root causes of terrorism, terrorist financing, maritime security, the landscape of terrorism in the region, globalisation and its impact on terrorism, international law and terrorism and terrorist activities ranging from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) terrorism to Cyber Terrorism.
From August 2003 to July 2010, a total of 76 training courses with the participation of 2439 officials were held. Apart from the normal lectures, these courses were intertwined with practical exercises, discussions and presentations which were designed to further enhance the value of the learning experience of each of the participants.
SEARCCT will continuously improve the content of its courses and strengthen the existing cooperation with relevant institutions from within and outside the region. The programmes that have been developed with our collaborators will be further enhanced to ensure its continued relevance to the participants.
SEARCCT looks forward to welcome more participants to its courses and assures collaborators of its intention to continue with the excellent cooperation that already exist as our commitment to regional peace and international stability.
Towards becoming a dynamic and effective world class counter-terrorism training and research centre committed to improving regional and international security.
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The Centre aims to achieve its vision based on the following:
- To develop and conduct quality capacity building and training programmes;
- To promote public awareness and disseminate information through conferences, seminars and workshops;
- To advise and assist the Government in the formulation and implementation of policies; and
- To network with similar institutions.
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- Organise capacity building and public awareness programmes;
- Produce briefs, situation reports, and conduct research;
- Promote information sharing and networking.
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SEARCCT is committed and pledges to concentrate its resources and efforts to:
- Organise, conduct and manage at least eight (8) capacity building and training programmes on terrorism-related topic every year ;
- Produce four (4) research materials or periodical publications on terrorism-related subjects and organize four (4) round-table discussions annually;
- Organize at least two (2) public awareness and education program annually on the issue of terrorism;
- Cooperate and work closely with local and foreign collaborators to strengthen the training and research and development programmes by meeting with them at least twice a year;
- Have an equal balance of local and foreign participants in selected courses;
- Provide incident reports on counter terrorism via SEARCCT’s data base;
- Provide efficient secretarial services during its programmes;
- Finalize and inform all participants and other involved parties, details and arrangements of the respective courses or seminars at least two (2) weeks prior to commencement; and
- Respond to any correspondence within three (3) working days from the day it is officially received by SEARCCT.
- In August 2009, a public awareness programme entitled "Comparative
Perspectives on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism", was conducted in
collaboration with Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Sintok, Kedah.
- A total of 18 lectures have been given in conferences and seminars on
terrorism and counter-terrorism issues throughout 2009. SEARCCT officers
have also attended two symposiums organized by the Council for Asian
Terrorism Research (CATR) in 2009.
- Three articles and one booklet have been produced. Details are as
follows :
- 'Countering-Terrorism : Malaysia's Experience' in the 'Asian
Conflicts Report (ACR)' published by the Council for Asian
Terrorism Research (CATR) (March 2009);
- Challenges in Aviation Security' in the 'Asian
Conflicts Report (ACR)' published by the Council for Asian
Terrorism Research (CATR) (June 2009);
- 'End Terrorism and Suicide Bombing' together with Mr. Kuah
Guan Oo in the magazine Gateway published by the South-South
Information Gateway, Ministry of Information (October 2009);
and
- SEARCCT's 'Selection of Articles' (December 2009).
- The web portal on information regarding terrorism and counter-terrorism
activities are being updated.
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