Former Special Branch E1M staff officer Abdullah Abdul Hamid said it was impossible to prevent any individual from holding on to the ideology.

“But I am confident there is no possibility for communist activities to return because it is monitored by the Special Branch. That is their job,” he said.

“It’s important for this generation to understand that ideologies cannot be stopped. Anyone can read up on communism. Just don’t profess, teach, influence others or take out guns to go against the government.”

Abdullah said this in a forum organised by Universiti Malaysia Pahang and the police today on the role of the police against communist terrorism.

Another speaker, deputy Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain, said the police now faced new challenges in transnational crimes such as money laundering, as well as cybercrime, human smuggling, encroachment by illegal immigrants, drugs and wild lifestyles.

“We need to remain relevant in providing the best service as the country’s oldest law enforcement agency,” he said.