ID :
351331
Tue, 12/16/2014 - 06:47
Auther :

After The Communist Threat, Malaysia Now Faces Terrorism, Militancy

By N. Sevagamy KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- In the 50s and 60s, a young Malaysia had to stave off the threat of subversion by the Communist Party of Malaya, and a confrontation with the Indonesian Communist Party. Today, 57 years later, it finds itself being tested again, potentially by terrorism and militancy, particularly with regard to the so-called Islamic State (IS) militant group. In its commitment to fight the threats, which requires a holistic approach and cooperation of the international community, Malaysia has joined forces with 190 other United Nations member states. On Nov 26, the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House of Parliament) also approved a White Paper tabled by Najib pertaining to combating the threat posed by IS. The White Paper proposed to empower existing laws such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, Prevention of Crime Act 1959, and Penal Code to curb the threat by terrorists and militants. Najib also said that new laws to deter Malaysian involvement in terrorism and militant activities would be proposed in the Dewan Rakyat. IS, an extremist group, is hinged on the Salafi-Jihadi ideology which promotes Daulah Islamiah through waging wars and declaring as "infidels" Islamic governments that do not uphold Syariah laws. IS interprets jihad differently and rejects the definition stated in the Al-Quran Sunnah. By the group's interpretation, aggression, destruction of property and killings are allowed, regardless of whether they involve Muslims or non Muslims. According to the Counter Terrorism Special Branch Division in Bukit Aman, IS recruits members worldwide, including Malaysia, through social media, particularly Facebook. The group preys on school students, public and private tertiary students, and public and private sector employees. Since February last year, 40 people believed to be involved in IS have been detained while five others are being sought. Among those detained were a university Islamic Studies lecturer, a photostat and stationery shop operator and a municipal council staff, who were believed to have planned to join a terrorist group in Syria. To date, 13 suspects have been taken to court, of whom 11 were charged under the Penal Code for offences related to terrorism, and the rest, under the Firearms Act. Fifteen other suspects are still under investigation while 12 have been released due to insufficient evidence, according to Bukit Aman Counter Terrorism Special Branch principal assistant director Ayub Khan Mydin Pitchay. The National Fatwa Council has emphasised that it is against Islamic law for Malaysian Muslims to join militant groups such as IS in Iraq and Syria, and that they would not be declared as martyrs upon their death. -- BERNAMA

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