Mohamad: Escalating Israel-Iran conflict heightens regional instability
KUALA LUMPUR — The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has heightened regional instability, with ripple effects that could embolden transnational terrorist networks and deepen sectarian divides far beyond West Asia, said Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan Tuesday.
He added that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza serves as a painful reminder of how unresolved injustices and prolonged oppression can become fertile ground for radicalisation — and a potent propaganda tool for terrorist groups.
'The horrific and deepening human suffering we continue to witness day by day may sow the seeds for radicalisation and actions of extremism.
'Malaysia continues to advocate for a just, durable, and peaceful end to conflicts in line with international law and United Nations (UN) resolutions,' Mohamad said in his opening speech for the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) International Conference (SIC 2025) here.
The text of his speech was read by the Foreign Ministry's deputy secretary-general (Bilateral Affairs), Datuk Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani.
Mohamad said the digital age, which has reshaped how we live, communicate, and engage, comes with increased vulnerability. Terrorist groups have adapted swiftly, exploiting the digital terrain to manipulate narratives, incite violence, and recruit with precision.
Extremist content now spreads rapidly online through livestreamed attacks, AI-generated propaganda, deepfakes, disinformation, and infiltration into gaming communities. The frontline has moved from physical battlegrounds to screens and servers, he added.
According to him, reality today demands anticipation — adaptive policies, digitally savvy governance, and strategies that are one step ahead of those with ill intentions.
On ASEAN, which is chaired by Malaysia this year, Mohamad said, the bloc's response to terrorism and violent extremism must not only be with one voice, but with collective urgency and mutual trust in this complex threat environment.
Our strategies must be human-centred, technology-aware, and responsive to local realities. Regional responses must marry empathy with innovation, and policy with practical action, he said.
He said Malaysia is proud to spearhead the ASEAN Plan of Action to Prevent and Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism (2023-2032), a strategy focused on intelligence sharing, capacity building, and strategic communication, supported by ASEAN Dialogue Partners.
ASEAN, he said, must invest in training, cross-border exchanges, and community-led initiatives that reflect the region's rich diversity and shared aspirations.
Reaffirming Malaysia's commitment to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, he stressed the importance of upholding international law, human rights, and humanitarian principles.
We continue to advocate for counter-terrorism responses that are proportionate, inclusive, and non-discriminatory, he added.
Mohamad also reiterated Malaysia's firm stance against associating Islam — or any religion — with terrorism, calling such misrepresentations not only factually wrong but morally unjustifiable.
Themed Emerging Trends in Terrorism and Violent Extremism, the three-day conference, which began on Tuesday, was attended by 200 local and international participants.
The conference focused on the shifting dynamics and complexities of modern terrorism, while encouraging both regional and global collaboration to counter these pressing threats. — BERNAMA
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