‘Take growing number of terror groups into account’

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein. - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The mushrooming of affiliated terrorist organisations in the region should not be taken lightly, said Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

“This news is especially alarming for Malaysia when one considers that our eastern state of Sabah has come under attack in the past from militant groups in the Southern Philippines,” he said.

“The idealistic dream of Nur Misuari to form a caliphate in the Sulu Sea means that we will not be able to take our eyes off this area anytime soon,” he said in his keynote address at the Putrajaya Forum 2016, held in conjunction with the 15th Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition and Confe­rence 2016.

Hishammuddin said one must not lose sight of the fact that terrorism transcends race and religion.

“Indeed, the majority of Daesh’s (Islamic State) victims, of their cruelty and brutality, are Muslims themselves.

“In fact, their actions continue to victimise the global Ummah in the sense that their misdeeds have created fear and suspicion among the communities of the world,” he said, adding that this could only end in the detriment of Muslims, especially in countries where they are the minority.

What was more disquieting, he said, was the fact that its activities had a hypnotic effect on young Muslims.

“It is insidious as Daesh exploits the fault line created by religion, race and socio-economic differences. At the same time, like a deadly predator, it preys on the most vulnerable,” he added.