KUALA LUMPUR: The government yesterday appealed for the people’s support in the fight against the so-called Islamic State (IS) ideology and proposed the introduction of a new law to check the involvement of Malaysians in IS militant activities.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made the call when tabling a White Paper on ‘Addressing the Islamic State (IS) Threat’ in the Dewan Rakyat.
“I urge all Malaysians, particularly youths and parents, to reject extreme ideologies that can destroy our future. I really hope to get the support of the people at all levels in refraining from being influenced by such ideologies.
“The peace and harmony we have achieved is too valuable and have to be preserved,” he said.
Najib also said the government proposed to table at the next session of the Dewan Rakyat a bill to introduce a new law to address the involvement of Malaysians in IS militant and terror activities.
The prime minister said the new legislation would provide for more effective action to be taken to check the threat and spread of IS terror activities.
“This is in accordance with the move by other countries that have introduced and refined anti-terrorism laws as the prime move to address the threat of terrorism,” he said.
Najib said the White Paper proposed the refining of existing legislation, such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, Prevention of Crime Act 1959 and Penal Code to address the threat of terrorism and militancy.
Nevertheless, he said, the government was aware that laws alone were not enough to contain the IS ideology.
The prime minister said the White Paper was aimed at exposing the true face of the IS which used Islam as a front to achieve its desire to establish an Islamic nation in its mould.
He said the modus operandi of the IS struggle was rooted in the al-Qaeda militant group and that the IS had been declared a terrorist organisation by the international community and through consensus by the mainstream ‘ulama’ (Islamic scholars).
The IS ideology based on extremism and terrorism was contrary to the beliefs of the people who subscribed to the Sunnah Wal Jamaah because it misinterpreted the concept of ‘jihad’ (holy war); exploited the concept of ‘hijrah’ (migration); branded as infidels Muslims not aligned with it; committed atrocities against women and children; and condemned to death anyone without the right to defence, he said.
Najib also said the National Fatwa (Edicts) Council, besides listing IS as a terrorist group, stated that the participation of Muslims from Malaysia in the IS militant activities in Iraq and Syria was contrary to Islamic law and their deaths could not be categorised as martyrdom.
“I feel that as a country which has also pioneered the ‘wasatiyyah’ (moderation) approach as required by Islam in all aspects, Malaysia has a responsibility to expose (the fact) that the IS extreme ideology is contrary to Islamic teachings and the Federal Constitution.
“In this regard, Malaysia will intensify efforts to explain the true jihad and correct the Western perception of often associating Islam with terrorism,” he said.
Najib said the government was concerned that Malaysians returning from the conflict areas in Syria and Iraq might raise the risk to national security.
“It is more frightening that these militants, with the experience they have and the warfare tactics they possess, are capable of committing lone wolf terrorist activities.
“With the military expertise and bomb-making skills acquired in Syria, they can potentially launch an attack at any time, causing loss of lives and massive destruction to public property,” he said.
At the same time, Najib said, the government was also concerned that they will reactivate terrorist cells and form a network with existing militant groups in the country and the region, such as the Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao, the Philippines.
“As the Abu Sayyaf operates very close to the east coast of Sabah, this will increase the security risk in the area. It is believed that five Malaysian suspects are in hiding in the southern Philippines.
“If the IS network is established in Sabah, it is highly likely that it will spread to Sarawak and undermine the safety and harmony of all the communities there,” he said.
Najib said the people from all walks of life had to be with the government in rejecting extreme ideologies.
He expressed confidence that the ‘wasatiyyah’ concept was the best solution to ensuring peace and prosperity in cosmopolitan Malaysia.
At the same time, he said, Malaysia would continue to be committed to working with the international community to address the threat of radicalism, extremism, terrorism and militancy. – Bernama