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ISIS: New Security Challenges in Malaysia

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.

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