Rejecting extremism must be a way of life

ISIS is synonymous with everything that is wrong from brutal executions, rape of their captives and killing practically everyone they feel like with zero conscience and with complete disregard of the conventions of war and conflict.

LIKE most Malaysians, I find it troubling and disconcerting that 39 Malaysians (according to Deputy Home Minister, Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuaku Jaafar) have found their way to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) battle against the Syrian and Iraqi governments.

I have also heard stories of Malaysians who have taken personal loans to fund their misguided voyage. As I recalled in my introductory remarks at ASLI’s 17th Malaysia Strategic Outlook Conference last week, I said the single largest threat to Malaysia is rising extremism.