Read thousands of books and I will power myself with knowledge. Pens and books are the weapons that defeat terrorism.
– Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani activist
I join Malaysians in condemning the senseless murder of two police officers in the May 17 attack at the Ulu Tiram police station in Johor and extend my condolences to the bereaved families.
Two young constables, Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar and Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, aged 21 and 22 respectively, were killed in the 2.45 am attack. Another policeman was injured in the incident.
The masked intruder, armed with pistols and a machete, was shot dead at the scene.
What is of great concern in this attack is the suspect’s initial link with the outlawed Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) terror group, although police later clarified that he was not a JI member.
However, even before the two policemen were laid to rest, another incident believed to carry the same motivation took place in Kuala Lumpur, right in front of Istana Negara.
On the same day, two men aged 29 and 37, were arrested for allegedly trying to trespass on the palace with a machete in their car.
Although the duo had since been charged with trespassing, their motive to try and trespass on Istana Negara could not be ascertained as yet, according to the police.
Two days later, on March 19, police arrested a 35-year-old man early in the morning after he tried to snatch a firearm during an altercation at the Dato Keramat police station in Penang.
Police has confirmed the incident, indicating that the man was trying to see his “friend” at the police station but was denied entry as he was believed to be under the influence of alcohol.
It would be foolhardy of us not to be concerned with the recent spate of security incidents in the country. Whether they are related to acts of terrorism or not, it is imperative that we never lose sight of the terror threat.
The threat of terrorism remains a critical concern globally, and it is essential that we maintain vigilance at all times. Lest we forget, known terrorist groups like ISIS, Al-Qaeda and their affiliates are still active, often targeting civilians to spread fear and achieve political or ideological goals.
Back home, we used to have problems with JI and if that is not serious enough, there were reported cases of radicalised students attempting to recruit their schoolmates to join their extremist groups.
It is generally accepted that young people, particularly students, are the most vulnerable group and easy target of terrorist organisations.
How the terror groups operate is not alien to many. They are also most adept now at using social media and online propaganda to reach young people.
They create sophisticated and appealing content that glorifies their cause, making it accessible and attractive to tech-savvy youths. These platforms also provide a space for potential recruits to interact with existing members, thus reinforcing their radicalisation.
I recall reading about the arrest of eight college students and former teaching staff for their involvement in spreading extremist ideology in one of the tertiary Islamic institutions in Perlis in 2018.
These convicted extremists were suspected of spreading radical ideas among local Muslim students, such as the absolute rejection of the western democratic political system.
Terrorist organisations constantly evolve their tactics and leverage new technologies, including cyber terrorism. Advances in communication and weaponry make it easier for these groups to plan and execute attacks, often with devastating consequences.
It is understandable, therefore, if Malaysians also get jittery and fearful of the spate of security incidents in recent days and alluding them to potential terror attacks.
In such a climate of worries and concerns, I can’t help but pose whether our security apparatus is capable and sophisticated enough to tackle any potential terror threat in the country.
I’m glad that the police are investigating whether several recent incidents involving the security of important national institutions and MPs were random acts or part of a coordinated plan.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said police and his ministry viewed the issue seriously and are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further incidents.
“It is crucial for the police investigation to determine (whether the attacks) are random acts or part of a coordinated plan and (if they are) carried out by individuals or groups,” he said.
The minister also mentioned that police have confirmed receiving a report from Seputeh MP Teresa Kok about an envelope in her mailbox on Saturday (May 18) that contained two bullets and a warning note.
Saifuddin said he has been instructed to brief Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the police investigations into several of the incidents.
Yes, it’s comforting to know that the PM himself is keeping tabs on security issues in the country and that he wants the police to keep an eye on potential terrorist cells.
It is imperative for Malaysia not to lose sight of the terror threat. Terrorism will not go away, and I doubt the evils associated with it ever will.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
