A day ago heavily armed gunmen
murdered more than 12 people including Editor-in-chief of Charlie Hebdo, a French
newspaper in Paris indicates that a terrorist attack can happened in anywhere
and at any time even though there is high security alert. This is a very dangerous
and irrepressible situation to handle. [Updated on 8/1/15]
The
two terrorist who involved with terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo were
gunned down by police and another terrorist who involved with hostage taking
shot dead as well.
The question now is how come the French Intelligence missed out these terrorist even though they on their radar and US have knowledge on them by banning them not travel to USA or in Europe. Most likely they came from sleeper cells which is actively pursue to launch terrorist attacks in France especially in Paris. Lack of urgency, cooperation and coordination between security and intelligence apparatuses yet again proven to be fatal on these attacks. Even though France on high alert but still terrorist find ways to execute their acts. [Updated on 10/1/15]
Recently our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tabled a White Paper on terrorism. The initiative taken by government is a progressive step. By publishing this paper this government has shown conviction on the said matter. The threat of ISIS is imminent. It's has become the biggest threat for our national security. He correctly pointed out that there is a need to have new legislation to curb terrorist related activities including terrorist financing. His worries on whether potentially Malaysia become the hub for terrorism is valid with current development.
In January 2015 through Counter-Terrorism Bill, the Parliament of United Kingdom wanted to introduce new law which allow authorities to have powers to stop suspected terrorist of British nationals who are returning to the UK from abroad. They will be allowed to enter unless they agreed upon the terms set by the authorities.
Further the Police and border
officers empowered to grasp passports if they have reasonable suspicion on the
said person who is involved with terrorism aboard even though he is a minor. By
a magistrate’s review, the passports can be compounded for 30 days. In
addition, the airlines must be complied with the requirements of screening
passengers and refrain them from boarding planes. If these requirements do not
complied then the airlines can be fined.
Even though it’s seems to be
harsh from the viewpoint of human right advocates, but national security can be
compromised for any reasons. The interest of nation is more important than the
interest of a group of people who is jeopardized the stability of a nation.
Syria and Iraq is become an
incubator for a new waves of terrorists. Since the 3 years conflict began it is
believed that more than 12,000 foreign fighters who are come from various part
of world to fight for ISIS. As of
November last year, 45 Malaysians have been identified to be part of Isis in
Syria and another 15 Malaysians are in Iraq. Five of them were reported to have
been killed.
Last May, Ahmad Tarmimi Maliki becomes
the first Malaysian suicide bomber from ISIS who killed 25 elite Iraqi soldiers
in al-Anbar. Further last November, the second suicide bomber identified as
Ahmad Affendi Abdul Manafi is driven a truck full with bomb into a military
installation in Homs, Syria killing about 50 of Syrian army soldiers. The profiles
of both suicide bombers indicate that they are less than 30 years old and secondary
school leavers. This shows that not only well educated and well established are
recruited become terrorists, others also recruited through social media. They enticed with a false jihad. Unfortunately they are ill-informed on jihad.
Apart from that, the recruiters
successfully ingrained the sympathizers to become potential ISIS terrorists.
For instances, the arrest of a senior assistant director of a ministry, a
trainer of National Services, two civil servants and two members of the security
forces. They are also recruited a young person at the age of 14 years old and women
including house wives and female undergraduates. This is an unprecedented
development for our security and intelligence forces. They have to be more
vigilant to identify and fight against the suspected sympathizers and terrorist
of ISIS who are operating internally. At the same time, the public also expecting the forces to
prevent and protect them from any terrorist attacks by ISIS. This is not an
easy task.
These are the challenges that our
intelligence and security forces are facing now. In future we can expect this is
going to be more difficult to fight and prevent if there is no enough tools
i.e. psychological ‘info-fare’, legislation, monitoring intelligence devices and
a pool of terrorism expert to analyse and predict the possible outcome of ISIS
threats within Malaysia. Otherwise the prospect of a terrorist attack is
imminent.
The recent pledges of commitment to ISIS by the regional terror groups like Abu Sayyaf, Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) and Darul Islam Sabah is alarming. Recent arrest of Yazid Suffat under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012; the escape of former lecturer, Dr Mahmud Ahmd; sundry shop owner Mohd Najb Husen and former Selayang Municipal Council employee Muhammad Joraimee Awang Raimee are indicting the threat is real.
In addition, the existence of
sleeper cells throughout country actually cannot be quantified. These terrorist
from sleepers cells are more dangerous than known terrorist because their identity
and location is unknown to authorities. One of the possible clues is by
identifying the connections between the known terrorist and sympathizers with
unknown people. This will establish the link and uncovered the entire network for the authorities to detain and
prosecute them in the courts. To do this the relevant security forces and
agencies need to be sufficiently equipped with a comprehensive law to execute
their tasks for interest of this nation.
We cannot treat ISIS lightly. ISIS is a genuine threat for
the stability and security of this country. The changing of
political, economic and social landscape in past decades will eventually turned this country as a breeding ground for terrorist group like ISIS in near future . The government is
actually in a crossroads. The national interest and security are more
important than to protect the fundamental rights of a small group of people. Further
a hardcore terrorist is always a terrorist. It is impossible to reform such
person as indicated in the case of Yazid Suffat.
The new terrorism law must be
guided with strategies i.e. firstly, investigation
to ensure that all terrorist acts are investigated and perpetrators be charged
and justice be meted out accordingly; Secondly, education to ensure young people will not be recruited as terrorist
and ensure that people are not warped by false religious teachings; Thirdly, legislation are up-to-date and all
necessary loopholes are covered; Fourthly, cooperation within multi- layered
intra, regional, and international agencies; Lastly, intelligence, to ensure that all information are carefully studied
and to thwart a potential terrorist attack.
Therefore the new terrorism law
must give enough powers to security and intelligence forces to curb the
terrorist activities in Malaysia. That powers need to comprise with surveillance
modes and methods by intelligence and security forces; limited detention
without trial; a mandatory disclosure of funding; revoking passports of
suspected terrorists and sympathizers; and the implementation of restricted
detention within a schedule area to monitor them effectively.
The new law also must appreciate
our constitution especially the Part II which stipulated the fundamental rights
of the people. If there is any conflict between fundamental rights and national
security than the government is obliged to uphold the national interest rather
to protect a group of people who is threatening the sovereignty of our nation.
Kuala Lumpur.
Comments