PUTRAJAYA (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK): The fight against terrorism is expected to yield more results now that the counter-messaging centre (CMC) is in full operation, says Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the centre, managed by the Malaysian police, had been in operation for a month.

"It is what Malaysia needs to prevent recruitment, planning or even incidents of terrorism.

"The series of successful arrests of militants by the police previously came before the centre began its operations. We can expect better results now," he said after attending a luncheon hosted by People's Volunteer Corps (Rela) on Wednesday (Jan24).

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is Home Minister, said the police would share the CMC success stories when the time was right.

He said the authorities' level of preparedness had also risen, making it easier for them to share information and intelligence, not only with domestic agencies, but also with international counterparts such as Aseanapol and Interpol.

Domestically, the centre will be collaborating with the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the King Salman Centre For International Peace to ensure all eyes are on such activities.

"I'm satisfied with how the centre is being managed," said Dr Ahmad Zahid.

"We have the expertise to handle it and I am confident of their ability to detect and prevent elements of terror, radicalism and militancy."

The CMC was created to monitor social media for any suspicious activities and information related to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), whether it is perpetrated by Malaysians, foreign terrorist fighters or extremist organisations in the country.

Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously assured the public that any personal data that passed through the centre would remain private.