The dismantling of the Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group (GMRB) in Malaysia has brought into sharp focus the evolving nature of extremist threats facing the country. This group, composed of 100 to 150 Bangladeshi nationals working in Malaysia’s labour sectors, had been secretly raising funds and recruiting on behalf of the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Bangladesh.
According to Inspector-General of
Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail, members paid an annual RM500 fee, with
additional voluntary contributions based on income levels. These funds were
transferred abroad using e-wallet apps and money transfer services, while
WhatsApp and Telegram were used to recruit and coordinate activities.
Although Malaysia has long been
seen as a stable and moderate country, the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI)
paints a more troubling picture.
The GTI reports that terrorist
activity is again on the rise globally, with 66 countries experiencing at least
one attack in 2024, up from 58 the previous year. Fatalities increased by 11%,
signaling a reversal of the decade-long decline in global terrorism.
While Malaysia remains relatively
low-risk compared to global hotspots, the presence of radical cells like GMRB
reveals early warning signs that should not be ignored.
From Coordinated Cells to
Lone-Wolf Actors
One of the GTI's most concerning
findings is the rise of lone-wolf attacks in Western nations. Over the past
five years, 93% of deadly attacks in those countries were carried out by
individuals acting alone, often radicalized entirely online without direct
contact with formal terror networks.
Although Malaysia has not
experienced such attacks at scale, the underlying risk factors are present:
increased access to extremist content, a polarized political environment, and a
disillusioned youth demographic.
In the UK, minors made up 42% of
terrorism-related arrests in 2024, often after exposure to radical ideologies
in online communities such as Discord, Telegram, and even gaming platforms.
Similar patterns are emerging in Europe and North America.
Malaysia must brace for the
likelihood of ideology-driven individuals operating under the radar,
radicalized not in physical camps but in virtual echo chambers.
Technology and the Rise of
Digital Extremism
The operational transformation of
terrorist organizations is another critical dimension. Groups like Islamic
State Khorasan Province (ISK) have embraced artificial intelligence, encrypted
messaging apps, and multilingual propaganda to become digitally savvy and
transnational.
These advancements allow
recruitment, planning, and propaganda to flourish beyond physical borders and
often undetected.
Malaysia’s high internet
penetration, widespread smartphone usage, and young population make it a ripe
environment for such digital infiltration. The anonymity offered by
cryptocurrencies and encrypted communications allows extremists to operate with
little fear of surveillance.
This necessitates a digital-first
security response one that includes AI-driven content monitoring, cyber patrol
units, and collaboration with major tech companies to remove harmful content.
Digital literacy must also be
prioritized. Educating youth on recognizing online radicalization tactics is as
vital as deploying cybersecurity infrastructure. Malaysia’s counterterrorism
framework needs to evolve to match the pace and sophistication of today’s
digital threats.
Lessons from the Sahel and
South Asia
While the Western focus has
shifted to lone actors, the Sahel region in Africa remains the epicentre of
mass terror attacks, accounting for over half of all terrorism-related deaths
in 2024.
The causes fragile governance,
poverty, ethnic tension, and resource conflict also exist in varying degrees
across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.
The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan
(TTP) is now the fastest-growing terror group globally, with fatalities rising
by 90% in 2024. Meanwhile, groups like Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah maintain
historical ties and operational networks in the region.
Malaysia’s geography particularly
its porous maritime borders in Sabah, Sarawak, and northern Peninsular Malaysia
poses additional risks, especially in areas with limited state presence and
socioeconomic disparities.
To prevent these regional
dynamics from taking root domestically, Malaysia must strengthen cross-border
intelligence sharing, upgrade maritime security, and increase governmental
engagement in remote and vulnerable regions.
The Youth Factor: A
Battlefield of Ideas
Perhaps the most urgent insight
from the GTI is the increasing role of youth in global terror networks.
One in five terror suspects in
the West is under the age of 18. Many are seduced by hybrid ideologies that
blend grievances with extremist narratives. Malaysia’s youthful population,
often digitally native and politically disengaged, is not immune to this trend.
Counter-radicalization strategies
must therefore extend beyond law enforcement. The Ministry of Education and the
Ministry of Youth and Sports should be deeply involved in national security
planning.
School curricula should be
updated to include media literacy, critical thinking, and interfaith dialogue,
equipping students to resist radical influences.
Additionally, Malaysia must
enhance de-radicalization and reintegration programs. Former extremists,
particularly youth, need viable paths back into society.
Otherwise, harsh punitive
measures risk fueling further resentment and isolation, potentially reinforcing
radical beliefs.
A Strategic Moment for
Prevention
Malaysia’s current position on
the Global Terrorism Index gives it a window of opportunity. Unlike nations
already entrenched in extremist violence, Malaysia can still act preventively.
But the signs are increasingly
clear: digital radicalization, youth vulnerability, border security gaps, and
ideological polarization are growing threats.
The GTI 2025 is more than a data
snapshot; it’s a strategic alarm bell. It shows that terrorism today is
decentralized, digital, and disturbingly youthful.
Malaysia must respond with a
forward-looking strategy that integrates technology, education, and
cross-border cooperation. Waiting for a crisis to trigger reform would be a
grave mistake.
The fight against terrorism is no
longer confined to battlefields or training camps it is now waged online, in
schools, and within fractured communities.
The time to act is now, while the
threats remain preventable rather than inevitable.
11.07.2025
Kuala Lumpur.
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https://focusmalaysia.my/digital-jihad-and-malaysias-silent-threat/
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