Latest news with #2025GlobalTerrorismIndex
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
Empowering youth against radicalisation
THE 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) reveals a troubling reversal in the global fight against terrorism. After nearly a decade of progress, the world has seen an 11% increase in terrorism-related deaths, with 66 countries reporting at least one attack in 2024 up from 58 the previous year. While Malaysia still ranks low in direct terrorism incidents, the recent Ulu Tiram attack where a lone assailant killed two police officers in Johor marks a significant and disturbing development. This incident is not just a singular tragedy it is a symptom of a broader, more insidious trend: youth radicalisation and the rise of lone-wolf extremism, driven by digital propaganda, identity politics, and ideological distortion. It is no longer sufficient to view terrorism as solely a security issue. Malaysia must treat it as a societal challenge, where the Education Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry are central to a national strategy. Lone wolves in our backyard The Ulu Tiram attacker had no known affiliation with global terrorist groups like ISIS or al-Qaeda. Like many perpetrators of lone-wolf violence in the West, he was reportedly radicalised through online content, consumed in digital echo chambers without formal recruitment or training. The GTI notes that 93% of fatal terror attacks in the West over the past five years were executed by such individuals self-radicalised, ideologically motivated, and increasingly young. Malaysia now faces a similar trajectory. Our youth, highly connected and socially aware, are also vulnerable to ideological manipulation, particularly in times of political instability, socioeconomic inequality, or perceived marginalisation. Race, religion, and the politics of division Malaysia's rich multi-ethnic and multi-religious composition, once a hallmark of national pride, is being increasingly weaponised. Certain political figures exploit race and religion to consolidate support, often at the expense of national cohesion. Simultaneously, hate preachers and religious extremists exploit online platforms and local sermons to propagate narratives that portray religious or ethnic groups as existential threats. When youth repeatedly encounter these messages whether through WhatsApp chains, social media, or even the pulpit they begin to internalise a distorted worldview: one that legitimises violence in defence of identity. The seeds of radicalisation are no longer planted by foreign fighters they are cultivated at home, in plain sight. Cultivating resilience in the classroom Education is Malaysia's most powerful tool in the fight against extremism. The Education Ministry must urgently revise its approach, ensuring that classrooms become incubators of tolerance, critical thinking, and civic responsibility. First, digital literacy and media awareness must be fully integrated into the national curriculum from primary school to tertiary education. Young Malaysians must learn how to evaluate sources, question narratives, and challenge extremist content. This skillset is not only academic it is a defence against ideological harm. Second, interfaith education and civic studies must be revitalised to promote mutual respect and national unity. Students should learn not only about their own heritage but also about the histories, beliefs, and contributions of others. These lessons humanise 'the other' and inoculate young minds against divisive rhetoric. Third, teacher training is essential. Educators must be equipped to detect early warning signs of radicalisation such as withdrawal, sudden changes in worldview, or fixation on identity-based grievances. But more importantly, they must be supported with referral pathways that connect schools to mental health professionals, social workers, and community organisations, enabling early intervention without criminalisation. Offering purpose and belonging Radical ideologies often prey on disenfranchised youth those who feel invisible, undervalued, or disempowered. The Youth and Sports Ministry must take proactive steps to provide these young Malaysians with meaningful alternatives to extremism. This includes expanding access to youth empowerment programmes, especially in underserved and high-risk areas such as Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, and parts of urban Klang Valley. Leadership development, skills training, sports leagues, and creative arts programmes should be used to build self-esteem, provide structure, and foster social inclusion. Youth centres can also become platforms for counter-narratives safe spaces where difficult issues can be discussed, identities explored, and dissent expressed without violence. By collaborating with athletes, influencers, musicians, and activists, the ministry can promote messages of unity, peace, and resilience on platforms where young people already engage YouTube, TikTok, Discord, and more. A youth security strategy Malaysia needs a coordinated, youth-centric national security strategy. The Education Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry should no longer operate on the sidelines of counter-terrorism but be fully integrated into the National Security Council's efforts. This strategy should include a National Youth Vulnerability Index to map communities at higher risk of radicalisation based on socio-economic indicators, digital activity, and reported grievances. Real-time monitoring and analysis of extremist digital content, using AI and partnerships with tech companies to flag recruitment materials and hate speech. Community-led rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, offering second chances to youth influenced by radical ideologies, with the involvement of psychologists, imams, teachers, and civil society leaders. Prevention is the new security Malaysia's current position on the GTI is relatively stable but it is no cause for complacency. The Ulu Tiram incident is not an anomaly it is a harbinger. Unless we act now, we risk a future where extremist violence becomes normalised, youth disillusionment becomes weaponised, and national unity unravels. By redefining education and youth development as security imperatives, Malaysia can lead the region in proactive counter-extremism. The Education Ministry and the Youth and Sports Ministry must not just participate in national security planning they must lead the charge in safeguarding Malaysia's future. The window for prevention is open. Let us not wait for it to close. ‒ June 5, 2025 R. Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters. The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: FMT
Morocco World
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco Leads Fight Against Terrorism in Latest Global Index
Rabat – Morocco has emerged as one of the world's safest nations, according to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index report from the Institute for Economics and Peace. The report notably lists Morocco among the four countries in the Middle East and North Africa region that registered scores of zero in terrorist incidents, including Kuwait, Qatar, and Sudan. These countries 'had been free of terrorist activity for at least the past five years,' the report noted. Despite regional threats Morocco built on years of strategic security developments and now outranks several European countries in safety metrics. The country strengthened its anti-terrorism approach by toughening penalties for terrorist activities and revising laws to crack down on individuals seeking terrorist training. It enhanced the monitoring of suspicious financial transfers and built stronger partnerships with international organizations like Interpol and the European Union. In 2023, Morocco launched an anti-extremism program with the EU to combat violent extremism and terrorism through prevention and education. The terrorism landscape continues to evolve in dangerous ways. The Sahel region accounted for over 30% of terrorism-related deaths in 2024, with attacks multiplying in Niger following the withdrawal of French and American forces, according to the report. It further noted that 90% of terrorism victims are in armed conflict zones, demonstrating the direct link between instability and extremism. According to the report, Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups like Nosrat al-Islam pose increasing threats across the Sahel desert, endangering stability throughout North Africa, including Morocco. Stretching from Mauritania to Sudan, the Sahel has become a global terrorism hotspot. In 2020, the region recorded over 13,800 victims, with Burkina Faso experiencing a staggering 575% increase in attacks. The report also described how recent geopolitical shifts in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso — particularly their growing alignment with Russia and China — created security gaps that terrorist groups quickly took advantage of. Meanwhile, and with the growing terrorist threats in the Sahel region, Morocco responded by enhancing border controls and deploying advanced technologies to prevent terrorist infiltration. The country has recently foiled a terrorist plot that was planned by a terrorist cell 'Khalifa Lions in Maghrib Al-Aksa,' which had direct links with an ISIS leader operating in the African Sahel Region. Read also: Morocco's BCIJ Latest Counter-Terrorism Operation, Details, Regional Context Today's terrorist groups embrace digital strategies beyond physical violence. The report notes that 60% of terrorist attacks go unclaimed by organized groups, pointing to the rise of lone-wolf terrorism fueled by technology and digital platforms spreading extremist ideologies. Secure messaging apps like Telegram enable radical propaganda to spread widely. However, Morocco has created a digital platform 'Yakada,' through which citizens can report terrorist or extremist content they come across on social media. Through these comprehensive security measures and international cooperation, Morocco continues to defend itself against evolving terrorism threats while establishing itself as a regional security leader. Morocco's efforts in counterterrorism have been gaining acclaim recently with several international reports commending the country's strategy in defying terrorist threats.
