Moving to prevent youth radicalism, extremism

KOTA KINABALU: The Higher Education Ministry is taking serious efforts to prevent radicalism and extremism among youth, says its Deputy Minister Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal.

He said the efforts were focused on students at the higher education level to make them aware of certain influences that could confuse and lead them astray into radicalism and extremism.

“We see a need for an early approach to prevent youth, especially those in universities, who could be influenced until they get caught up in things like gangsterism and radicalism,” he said after opening the Prevention of Radicalism and Extremism: Challenges Amongst Youth seminar in Lahad Datu, Sabah yesterday.

Mohd Yusof said the involvement of youth in radicalism in the country was worrying as about 80% of those arrested by police were under the age 40.

Based on data since January 2020, he said 246 people were charged with terrorism-related cases, with 199 found guilty and sentenced for various offences.

He said 47 others were arrested under the Prevention of Crime Act while 36 were charged with the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

“The data presented shows the seriousness of extremist threats in the country, especially among the youth,” Mohd Yusof said.

As such, he said his ministry would continue to hold programmes with academics and experts from higher education institutions as well as enforcement agencies to prevent radicalism and extremism.

He said it was important for youth to stave off extremism as they were the future leaders of the country.

“Radicalism and extremism can affect people from all walks of life. One of the major challenges of national security is preventing youth from getting involved in radicalism and extremism, especially when acting as an agent of inculcating terrorism,” he said.

He said the seminar provided a platform for experts to share experiences in dealing with issues related to radicalism and extremism among the youth.

“We hope through a programme like this, we will be able to strengthen our identity, form our own personality, while also applying spiritual and human values as well as instilling patriotism among the youth,” he said.

A total of 500 participants from universities, polytechnics and local community colleges attended the seminar.

The speakers included those from the Eastern Sabah Security Command, the South-East Asian Regional Centre for the Prevention of Terrorism, police, Prisons Department, Sabah Security Council and University Malaysia Sabah.