Latest news with #SIC2025
New Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
SEARCCT conference in Malaysia to focus on emerging terrorism and extremism trends
KUALA LUMPUR: The Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT), under Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, convened its second SEARCCT International Conference (SIC 2025) in the Malaysian capital. Themed "Emerging Trends in Terrorism and Violent Extremism", the June 24–26 conference focused on the shifting dynamics and complexities of modern terrorism, and the regional and global collaboration required to counter it. SIC 2025 featured five panel discussions on key and emerging issues related to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE), including the evolution of online radicalisation, technological shifts, and the role of artificial intelligence in terrorism and PCVE. Other topics included the growing prevalence of lone actors and small cell tactics in the region, digital disinformation, social fragmentation, and regional approaches to PCVE encompassing policy, practice and collaboration. "Following the success of the inaugural SIC in 2023, this year's event welcomed more than 200 local and international participants — twice the number from the previous conference. "The participants were drawn from government bodies, the diplomatic corps, the security sector, academia, research institutions and civil society organisations," SEARCCT said in a statement. The conference featured insights from experts and speakers representing organisations and institutions from Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. In conjunction with Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship, SIC 2025 aligned with ASEAN's collective security and resilience agenda and highlighted Malaysia's leadership in driving regional stability through strengthened counter-terrorism initiatives, the centre said. Recognising that terrorism and violent extremism transcend borders, SIC 2025 underscored ASEAN's commitment to addressing emerging security challenges, fostering regional collaboration, and advancing policy initiatives that align with the ASEAN Plan of Action to Prevent and Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism (ASEAN PoA PCRVE) 2018–2025, the Bali Work Plan (2019–2025), and ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future. Ahead of the conference, SEARCCT hosted the Sharing Together for Online Resilience Among Youth (STORY) regional workshop from June 20 to 23. Themed "The Changemakers", the workshop brought together 30 youth leaders from all ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste to design peer-led solutions for digital resilience. Their innovative approaches were showcased at SIC 2025. — BERNAMA
Barnama
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict Heightens Regional Instability
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan speaks during a press conference in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- 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. bootstrap slideshow '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.
Malaysian Reserve
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
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
