The eight elements of Malaysia 's Special Operations Force have been tasked with the important objective of maintaining Malaysia 's security , specifically in combating terrorism . A mission especially important in the wake of the 11 September attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon , and in a climate of global terrorism which would see the later bombing of the tourist centre of Bali and the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Jakarta , bombings and murders in Southern Thailand and the bomb explosions in the railway stations and transit systems of Madrid and London . Malaysia 's security agencies eagerly studied the lessons to be learnt from all such incidents so as to prepare to deal with similar terrorism , in the event that the terrorists should see Malaysia as a target . In November 2003 Malaysia passed new counter-terrorism laws that were widely criticised by local human rights groups for being vague and excessively broad . Critics claim that the laws put the basic rights of free expression , association , and assembly at risk . Malaysia persisted in holding around 100 alleged militants without trial , including five Malaysian students detained for alleged terrorist activity while studying in Karachi , Pakistan . Malaysia maintains a high level of security and to date no similar terrorist atrocities have occurred
tourist centre of Bali
2002 Bali bombings
National Special Operations Force (Malaysia)