Enforcement alone cannot wipe out terrorism, warns Tok Mat

The Star

5 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Enforcement alone cannot annihilate terrorism as there are now radicalised lone actors, such as what happened in the Ulu Tiram police station attack last year, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said terror has no religion, no race and no legitimacy, and any attempt to associate any religion with terrorism is morally unjustifiable.
He also warned in his opening speech at the South-East Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) International Conference 2025 here on Tuesday (June 24) that the Iran-Israel war could embolden transnational terrorist networks and deepen sectarian divides.
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His speech was read out by Foreign Affairs Ministry deputy secretary-general (Bilateral Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Rozian Ahmad Ghani
The conference, themed 'Emerging Trends in Terrorism and Violent Extremism', was attended by SEARCCT director-general Datin Nur Ashikin Mohd Taib, diplomats, experts on terrorism, and international participants.
'Any attempt to associate Islam or any religion with terrorism is not only factually wrong, it is morally unjustifiable. Malaysia stands firmly against such misrepresentations,' the minister said.
He added that while the digital age has reshaped the way the world works, the transformation 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, deep fakes, disinformation, and infiltration into gaming communities.
'The frontline has moved from physical battlegrounds to screens and servers," he said.
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Mohamad quoted security and technology expert Dr Audrey Kurth Cronin as saying: 'Today's terrorists are innovators. They exploit new technologies faster than governments can regulate them.'
The reality we live in today demands anticipation, Mohamad said: "... policies that are adaptive, governance that is digital-savvy, and strategies that are one step ahead of those with ill intentions."
He warned authorities that traditional terrorist networks are giving way to lone actors, as revealed in the aftermath of those arrested in the attack in Ulu Tiram, which gripped the nation in May last year.
'These are individuals radicalised in isolation, often within their own homes, and emboldened by online echo chambers that glorify violence.
"The tragic attack in Ulu Tiram, Johor, where a radicalised 21-year-old killed two policemen, reminds us that radicalisation can grow silently within households.
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'The perpetrator's father and family were also found to be deeply indoctrinated, revealing how extremism today is often hyper-local, digitally driven, and sometimes family-embedded.
"Such incidents reaffirm that the threat is not only transnational – it is also deeply personal and community-rooted.
'Extremism can brew unnoticed, beyond the reach of traditional security mechanisms.
"In response, Malaysia is investing in digital literacy, early warning systems and grassroots awareness.
"Preventing radicalisation must begin not at the edges of society, but at its heart – in our schools, homes, and neighbourhoods,' he said.
Stressing that while enforcement remains essential, Mohamad warned that it cannot stand alone, with early intervention, targeted support for at-risk individuals, and cultivating resilient communities being equally critical.
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He said SEARCCT's work that spans training, research, strategic communication and grassroots outreach reflects Malaysia's firm commitment to a people-centred, prevention-first approach.
"Through strong inter-agency coordination and multi-stakeholder partnerships, Malaysia is committed to tackling extremism not just at its surface, but at its source," he said.
Noting that Malaysia as Asean Chair this year would lead under the banner of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability", he urged the grouping to respond to threats not only with one voice, but with collective urgency and mutual trust.
"Radicalisation today thrives in digital shadows – embedded in algorithms, amplified in echo chambers, and hidden behind anonymity.
"The real question is not whether these threats exist, but whether we are prepared – and united – to confront them.
'Our strategies must be human-centred, technology-aware, and responsive to local realities.
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"Regional responses must marry empathy with innovation, and policy with practical action. 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.
'On the global stage, Malaysia remains committed to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, upholding international law, human rights and humanitarian principles.
"We continue to advocate for counter-terrorism responses that are proportionate, inclusive and non-discriminatory.
'In an interconnected world, terrorism knows no borders.
"Today, we face a new wave of threats from digital radicalisation and the weaponisation of artificial intelligence, to the use of cryptocurrency for terror financing. These are not distant possibilities; they are emerging realities.
'The escalating Israel-Iran conflict adds another layer of complexity to our world today. It has heightened regional instability, with ripple effects that could embolden transnational terrorist networks and deepen sectarian divides far beyond West Asia,' he said.