Malaysia should neither be branded nor perceived as a breeding ground for terrorists, just because of the involvement of one or two people in terrorism, Deputy Prime Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

NONECommenting on Jemaah Islamiah (JI) splinter group leader Noordin Mat Top, who is believed to have been shot dead in Temanggung, Central Java Friday, he said Malaysia was a democratic and peaceful country for a long time.

"(Everywhere) there are good and bad people. Just because one or two... it is not fair to brand us as a breeding ground for terrorists.

"Terrorism is also happening in the United States and Europe. Is that (does that mean these places are) a breeding ground (for terrorists)?," he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Look at our records

He said records would show that Malaysia was never a breeding ground for terrorists.

"We have been very effective in taking preventive measures," added the deputy prime minister.

Muhyiddin said Kuala Lumpur had always worked closely with Jakarta in tackling the terrorism menace.

On concerns by Canberra that Malaysia was being used as a transit point to smuggle people from other countries into Australia, Muhyiddin said the problem was being addressed.

"We are (also) concerned. We don't want to be labelled as a transit point. We will take stern measures to manage the situation," he said.