Malaysia's Deputy Home Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said, said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) will remain listed as 'terror group' in the country. 

When questioned as to why the LTTE remains listed as a terror group despite being inactive since 2009, the Minister replied that group was listed as such based on Section 66 B(1) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001.

"This is because under Section 66B, the activities of any groups or individuals that could affect or destroy safety and public order must be stopped so their ideology will not spread in our country," the Minister added. 

He also noted that the list can be reviewed every six months by the Home Minister. 

Earlier this year all charges were dropped against 12 Malaysian Tamils who were arrested with alleged links to the LTTE. The former Attorney General Tan Sri Tommy Thomas drop the charges due to insufficient evidence.

At the time, then Attorney General Tommy Thomas advised that holding photographs of former LTTE leaders on their mobile phones do not establish a criminal offence. The Attorney General released an eleven-page statement outlining the law and its application to the case built against the twelve men.

The Attorney General highlighted that “it is commonplace to have idols to whom hero worship is displayed. It is not just pop stars, sportsmen or actors who are admired: historical personalities and politicians are often the subjects of adoration."

“The charges relating to the other six accused concern offences allegedly occurring in January and October 2019 but by this time, even if LTTE was still gazetted under our laws as a terrorist group, the defence will contend that the LTTE has not been responsible for violence even in its home country, Sri Lanka in 2019, let alone having any impact on the ordinary affairs of ordinary people in Malaysia," he added. 

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