Global Security Newswire

The Malaysian House of Representatives approved a measure today that would empower the government to move against anyone participating in the preparation or manufacture of weapons of mass destruction in the Asian state, the Xinhua News Agency reported (see GSN, April 21, 2009).

Senior government official Nazri Abdul Aziz said the measure was intended safeguard Malaysian businesses from being used to provide illicit strategic materials and to prevent the proliferators from finding a home in the nation.

The measure spells out protocols for the sale and shipping of weapons and associated materials, Aziz said. The bill needs Senate approval before it can be implemented (Xinhua News Agency, April 5).