Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi – File pic
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has utilised rehabilitated terrorists as good role models in methods to de-radicalise extremists who were detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) 2015.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the method was one of four parts of the country’s module for the deradicalisation and rehabilitation programme.
“Former terrorists or rehabilitated persons can be good role models and are able to persuade former comrades to leave their misconceived struggle.
“They are also able to point out with more credibility any crucial factual misrepresentation and misconception linked to radicalism,” he said when delivering the ministerial statement on the Policy of Deradicalisation between participating countries at the International Deradicalisation Conference and Countering Violent Extremism (IDC 2016) here today (Jan 25).
The other three parts of the programme were to engage clerics or ulama for better influence over local communities; engaging the family members as it was very effective both psychologically and spiritually; and engaging the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that were vital in creating awareness to society about the negative consequences of terrorism.
Ahmad Zahid said for those detained under POTA, the module covered various aspects such as social skill, self-management, patriotism, financial management and psychology and would also serve as a guideline for rehabilitation officers.
He said prisons and radicalism in detention was another area of concern as the government realised that such detainees were made up of different backgrounds, beliefs and whose radical inclinations may vary.
“To ensure the success of our deradicalisation program, we engage various experts with different specialisations, security, psychology and spiritual or religion.
“Detainees are also assessed and evaluated by an independent board of experts to determine the length of detention, suitability for release and the necessity for continuous monitoring upon release,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Home Minister, said the programme included training that would allow them to acquire skills to secure work, earn an honest living and to assist in adapting to new environment.
Meanwhile, ASEAN member states thanked the Malaysian government for organising the conference, saying the event was timely and urged for further cooperation on information sharing in combating terrorism effectively. – Bernama