Nipping extremism in the bud

An armed police officer stands guard following a blast at a district police station, that according to authorities was a suspected suicide bombing, in Bandung, West Java province, Indonesia, December 7, 2022. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan

BANDUNG, the capital of West Java province, is famous for its scenic locations, historical sites, shopping malls and friendly locals.

Sadly, terror visited Bandung on Dec 7, 2022 when a suicide bomber, apart from killing himself, took another life and injured 10 others.

Last month, a bomb exploded in Istiklal Avenue, Istanbul, killing six people and injuring 80 others.

Improvised explosive devices (IED) are the weapons of choice for terrorist groups. But devising an IED or planning a suicide attack takes a considerable amount of time, which may go as far back as the recruitment, radicalisation and indoctrination process of the terrorists behind it.

This is why governments worldwide have put a lot of emphasis on countering radicalisation and violent extremism.

The premise is straightforward. No one is born a terrorist. Hence, the process to nurture and cultivate violent extremism must be identified and subsequently mitigated.

With the decline of Daesh in Iraq and Syria, and subsequently the rise of geopolitical issues coupled with the Covid-19 pandemic, terrorism is no longer the prime concern of most governments.

But they should not neglect the issue because terrorist propaganda is still active on various social media platforms. The two horrific incidents in Bandung and Istanbul remind us that terrorists are still operating in the shadows and will strike when least expected.

The Royal Malaysia Police, as always, are vigilant of any signs of terrorism and extremist activities. The Home Affairs Ministry is developing a National Action Plan (NAP) for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE). The Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), under the purview of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, is actively engaging civil society organisations (CSOs) and university students to promote counter-narratives of terrorism.

The Malaysian Armed Forces are also constantly conducting programmes within the military establishment to counter violent extremism.

On its part, the Prisons Department is expanding its knowledge and skills to understand the phenomenon of radicalisation and subsequently improving its rehabilitation and reintegration programme.

In addition, our emergency response system comprising hospitals, Fire and Rescue Department and other relevant agencies is on standby and ready for any eventualities.

The Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (MiDAS), an agency of the Defence Ministry, and Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) recently conducted a programme called “Regional Terrorism Challenges And Counter Violent Extremism Perspectives” to discuss current counter-terrorism issues in our region, the need for fresh ideas on PCVE, the increasing involvement of women in terrorism, and the potential threat from non-violent extremist groups.

Malaysia, like Indonesia and Turkey, has rich traditions and culture. Acts of terrorism are definitely not part of any culture. Therefore, continuous efforts must be taken to ensure that terrorism and extremism do not breed in the hearts and minds of the people.

We in Malaysia should never allow terrorist ideologies to threaten our peaceful way of life. The “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approach, which makes up the “whole-of-nation” strategy, has been Malaysia’s mantra in the fight against terrorism.

Awareness programmes on the danger of terrorism and violent extremism need to be conducted continuously. The message must be amplified so that it will reach every household in our country.

The process of preventing terrorism and extremism should begin at home. Malaysians must shoulder this responsibility. If we can do #kitajagakita during the pandemic, we can also play our part to ensure that extremism does not breed in our beloved homeland.

AHMAD TAJUDDIN MOHD SAID

Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security (MiDAS)

Ministry of Defence

Kuala Lumpur