Malaysia’s commitment is in line with the spirit of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) which came into force in March 1997. Malaysia also supports the ban on the manufacture, development and stockpiling of biological and chemical weapons in line with the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction 1972 and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction 1993. Additionally Malaysia has taken the steps to ban the use, production, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel miles upon ratifying the Convention on the Prohibition of Use, Stockpiling and transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on the their Destruction (Ottawa Convention) in April 1999. Subsequently this was followed by the gazettement of the Anti-Personnel Mines Convention Implementation Act 2000 and the total destruction of anti-personnel mines stock in 2001. Counter Measures Against Terrorism Terrorism remains a critical security issue for Malaysia. The transboundary activities of terrorist groups involve a variety of ethnic groups and nationalities. Therefore any country could potentially be the centre for terrorist activities. Malaysia is confident that comprehensive actions at all levels are important to address and counter terrorism in its infancy. Defence Diplomacy Malaysia recognizes defence diplomacy as an important effort towards conflict prevention and escalation which could undermine peace and stability. Among the steps towards this are confidence building measures, transparency, construction of positive norms and establishment of channels of communication. These efforts are implemented through joint exercises, information sharing, senior officers’ visits, exchange of officers and the provision of military education and training facilities. MALAYSIA’S NATIONAL DEFENCE POLICY Page 17