FOLLOWING the “defeat”
of al-Qaeda and Isis, the general assumption is that terror threats would no
longer be significant.
The reality is
different, however.
On Jan 6,2020,
al-Shabaab, the Somali-based terrorist group, attacked a Kenyan military base
close to the former coastal holiday destination of Lamu, Kenya.
On Jan 18, at least
four people were killed and more than 20 were seriously wounded when an al-Shabaab
suicide bomber targeted Turkish and Somali officials in Afgooye, Somalia.
Recently, Deputy Home
Minister Azis Jamman said that a local militant group is working closely with
the terror group Abu Sayyaf which operates in the Philippines and Sabah’s east
coast areas, mainly kidnapping foreigners for ransom.
Earlier this month,
five Indonesian fishermen were abducted from waters off Lahad Datu by six
gunmen. Police in Sabah have yet to receive any ransom calls for these
individuals.
Why can’t terror attacks
be prevented? Aren’t the countermeasures taken by the various global
intelligence agencies effective in dismantling terrorist goups internationally?
By nature, terrorists
are unpredictable, making them dangerous to deal with. In the London Bridge attack
in November last year (pic), Usman Khan who had earlier been released from
prison for terrorist-related offences stabbed five people, killing two. At the
time of the attack, he was attending an offender rehabilitation conference.
Khan was a staunch supporter
of Al-Muhajiroun, a militant cell identified by British intelligence and
security agencies, and a personal friend of its co-founder, Anjem Choudary, who
is deemed as one of the UK’s most notorious radical Islamist preachers.
Even though the senior
members of Al Muhajiroun, including Choudary, are under strict surveillance,
they still appear to be conducting their activities undetected. According to
the UK intelligence agencies, they are using Internet forums for recruitment
purposes and have regular smaller group meetings in discreet places.
One of the biggest
tasks of the intelligence and security forces is to monitor the activities of
hate preachers and dubious religious NGOs who normally hide their activities
under the veil of religion. Unless security agencies and religious authorities
collaborate and cooperate to tackle the threats posed by these preachers and
NGOs, terrorism-related incidents will never be eradicated.
Terrorists are
“innovative” people who adjust their methods according to their needs. They do
not require huge funds or a big group to coordinate attacks like the Sept 11,
Bali and Mumbai attacks. Most of the present attacks are self-funded, involving
unconventional weapons like knives, vehicles and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
In May last year, the
director-general of MI5 warned of the threat posed by groups sympathetic to
Isis. He said that Isis propaganda is still effective in inspiring people even
though the possibility of potential terrorists to travel to Syria has been
restricted. The attempt of Al-Muhajiroun to recruit returning Foreign Terrorist
Fighters (FTFs) and sympathisers to achieve its objective is distressing.
Last October, Bukit
Aman’s Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) chief said that 40 of the
65 Malaysians detained in Syria had contacted the police about wanting to
return home. The Malaysian men who are brought home will be charged in court
and the women will be assessed for their level of ideological influence, he
said, adding that their children would also go for rehabilitation programmes.
The question is whether the de-radicalisation programme is functioning well and
can rehabilitate the supporters and sympathisers of the terror groups.
In my opinion, these
hardcore and extremist individuals are immune to rehabilitation and reform.
There are no comprehensive rehabilitation programmes that can completely reform
such individuals. Security and intelligence agencies must accept this
hard-hitting fact and always be alert and pre-emptive in their approach.
One measure, albeit
extreme, is to designate a place for hardcore supporters, sympathisers and
terrorists where they can be monitored. They also need to be isolated from
society and given limited access or contact with family members. Unless there
is significant progress in rehabilitating these persons, the authorities should
not consider releasing them back into society.
This can be seen as
cruel and against the fundamental rights of a person but the peace and security
of a nation should be paramount.
Another
counter-terrorism measure is to use artificial intelligence (AI). Terrorists
are very skilful at using the Internet, especially social media, to spread
their propaganda for recruitment and fundraising purposes. As such,
intelligence agencies must develop AI systems to identify, monitor and counter
such activities. The agencies could also use AI to locate members of sleeper
cells.
Having more robust
border security measures in place supported by well-trained officers at
vulnerable borders such as Perlis, Kelantan and Sabah is also vital to prevent
terrorists from easily entering the country.
Efforts need to be
taken to ensure terrorists do not acquire materials including biological
weapons like viruses, bacteria, fungi or other toxins. As can be seen in the
coronavirus outbreak in China, the effects of biological weapons can be
catastrophic.
Terrorism is not just
about religion, as terrorists are also being brainwashed by their recruiters in
the name of ideology. I am therefore urging the relevant authorities to step up
efforts to protect the people and nation as a whole instead of just focusing on
a small number of persons who are misguided by false ideologies and
misinterpretation of religious texts.
Source: The Star– 30 Januari 2020
By: R. PANEIR SELVAM
By: R. PANEIR SELVAM
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