ISU INSIDEN SERANGAN BERSENJATA DI BALAI POLIS ULU TIRAM, JOHOR BAHRU

Posted on by

ARTIKEL


ISU INSIDEN SERANGAN BERSENJATA DI BALAI POLIS ULU TIRAM, JOHOR BAHRU

PENDAHULUAN

Pada 17 Mei 24 lebih kurang sekitar jam 0254 waktu tempatan, dua anggota polis terbunuh manakala seorang lagi cedera dalam serangan dilakukan seorang lelaki yang menceroboh masuk Balai Polis Ulu Tiram.

Anggota polis yang terbunuh dalam serangan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram

Suspek yang bertopeng dan berpakaian gelap bersenjatakan parang telah menyerang dua anggota polis bertugas dan merampas dua laras senjata iaitu jenis pistol Walter P99 serta selaras HK MP5. Suspek kemudiannya melepaskan dua das tembakan terhadap seorang anggota yang menyebabkan kecederaan pada bahu dan perut manakala seorang lagi anggota ditetak pada belakang leher dan kepala. Identiti suspek dikenali sebagai Radin Romyullah bin Radin Imran (34).  

Menurut pihak polis, anggota yang maut ialah Konstable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar (22) bertugas di pejabat pertanyaan Balai Polis Ulu Tiram dan Konstable Muhammad Syafiq Ahmad Said (22) bertugas sebagai anggota prowler di balai yang sama. Manakala anggota yang cedera dikenali sebagai Koperal Mohd. Hasif Roslan bertugas sebagai anggota Rondaan Cegah Jenayah (RCJ) di situ.

SERANGAN KE ATAS BALAI – BALAI POLIS YANG PERNAH DILAPORKAN BERLAKU DI MALAYSIA

Insiden tragedi runtuhan Menara Berkembar World Trade Centre di New York, Amerika Syarikat pada 11 September 2001 telah membuka mata dan minda banyak pihak khususnya agensi–agensi keselamatan dalam dan luar negara.  Pelbagai dasar yang berkait rapat keselamatan telah mula digubal, termasuklah keperluan memastikan kecekapan bangunan – bangunan keselamatan. Namun, tidak dinafikan bahawa terdapat banyak aspek penting lain yang turut menyumbang kepada kebocoran keselamatan dan mampu mengakibatkan pencerobohan keselamatan ke atas instalasi penting seperti balai polis. Terdapat beberapa insiden pencerobohan balai polis di Malaysia yang pernah berlaku seperti berikut:  

23 Februari 1950: Satu serangan besar-besaran melibatkan lebih kurang 200 pengganas Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM) ke atas Balai Polis Bukit Kepong, Johor. Pengganas didapati telah membunuh hampir keseluruhan anggota polis termasuk beberapa orang isteri dan anak anggota polis dalam insiden serangan tersebut.

16 Oktober 1980: Sekumpulan 15 orang lelaki ahli ajaran sesat berkaitan kumpulan Imam mahdi yang dipimpin oleh Mohd Nasir Ismail telah menyerang Balai Polis Batu Pahat dengan pedang dan pisau. Seramai 23 individu termasuk 14 anggota polis, petugas dan orang awam dilaporkan tercedera ekoran daripada insiden serangan tersebut.

4 Februari 2001: Empat orang lelaki yang berpakaian kemeja-T dan berseluar jeans telah menyerang Balai Polis Guar Chempedak, Kedah.   Insiden serangan ini telah mengakibatkan dua anggota mengalami kecederaan. Siasatan mendapati bahawa kumpulan lelaki ini terkait dengan  Kumpulan Mujahideen Malaysia (KMM) yang terpengaruh dengan kumpulan pelampau antarabangsa. Serangan dipercayai bertujuan untuk merompak senjata api yang terdapat di balai polis berkenaan.

31 Ogos 2017: Seorang anggota polis ditemui mati di Balai Polis Pinggiran USJ, Selangor. Mangsa ditemui oleh anggota Unit Peronda (MPV) yang pulang selepas menjalankan rondaan. Terdapat kesan tetakan di belakang kepala mangsa dan kesan tembakan di bahagian tengah belakang badan mangsa.

KRONOLOGI SERANGAN BERSENJATA DI BALAI POLIS ULU TIRAM, JOHOR BAHRU

Kejadian serangan ke atas Balai Polis Ulu Tiram, Johor Bahru pada 17 Mei 2024 dilaporkan telah meragut nyawa dua perwira negara kita manakala seorang lagi mengalami kecederaan serius apabila mereka telah diserang oleh individu tidak dikenali semasa mereka sedang bertugas.

Pada 17 Mei 2024 sekitar jam 0230, Balai Polis Ulu Tiram telah didatangi oleh dua individu pelajar IPT lingkungan umur 21 dan 22 tahun. Tujuan mereka hadir ke balai polis berkenaan adalah untuk membuat satu laporan yang berkaitan dengan kes cabul yang berlaku sekitar 2 tahun yang lepas.

Garis masa insiden serangan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram

Jam 0235, 5 minit selepas dua orang pelajar IPT datang ke balai berkenaan, suspek masuk ke kawasan balai dengan menaiki sebuah motorsikal sehingga ke bahagian belakang balai polis tersebut. Pada masa yang sama, seorang anggota polis pergi ke kawasan belakang balai untuk membuat pemeriksaan namun anggota tersebut telah diserang dan ditetak mati oleh suspek dengan menggunakan sebilah parang. Suspek turut merampas senjata api milik anggota berkenaan.

Pada jam 0254, dua anggota polis Rondaan Cegah Jenayah (RCJ) pulang ke balai setelah tamat melakukan tugas rondaan dan dimaklumkan mengenai serangan itu bergegas ke kawasan belakang balai. Telah berlaku insiden tembak menembak di antara anggota polis RCJ dan suspek. Ekoran insiden tembak menembak tersebut, seorang daripada anggota polis itu maut di tempat kejadian terkena tembakan di pipi dan tembus ke kepala. Seorang lagi anggota iaitu Kpl Mohd Hasif Roslan berjaya menembak mati suspek namun mengalami kecederaan pada bahu kiri dan pinggul.

Selepas 3 jam berlakunya insiden serangan ke atas balai polis berkenaan, sekitar jam 0600, sepasukan pihak polis telah melaksanakan operasi dan menyerbu rumah keluarga suspek yang terletak di Kampung Sungai Tiram kira – kira 7km dari lokasi kejadian serangan itu berlaku. Hasil serbuan awal mendapati terdapat bahan bacaan radikal di temui di kediaman keluarga suspek tersebut. Kesemua lima orang ahli keluarga suspek yang berusia di antara 19 tahun hingga 62 tahun, dipercayai sebagai ahli anggota serpihan kumpulan JI telah ditahan reman untuk membantu siasatan lanjut pihak berkuasa.  

Pada 18 Mei 2024, Menteri Dalam Negeri, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, telah mengeluarkan satu kenyataan mendakwa bahawa suspek disebalik serangan di Balai Polis Ulu Tiram yang membunuh dua anggota polis, diyakini telah bertindak secara sendirian (lone wolf) dan tidak mempunyai apa – apa kaitan dengan mana – mana kumpulan. Ketua Polis Negara (KPN), Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, turut mengesahkan maklumat tersebut dimana awalnya suspek disyaki mempunyai kaitan dengan kumpulan pengganas JI berdasarkan pembabitan bapanya yang merupakan bekas ahli kumpulan pengganas JI.

PENDAKWAAN KE ATAS AHLI KELUARGA SUSPEK

Pada 19 Jun 2024, lima ahli keluarga suspek dalam kes serangan Balai Polis Ulu Tiram ini telah dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Seksyen Johor Bahru. Kesemua suspek didakwa atas sembilan pertuduhan berasingan termasuk Seksyen 130G (a) Kanun Keseksaan (Akta 574) iaitu menggalak dan menanam ideologi kumpulan pengganas Daesh. Kesemua tertuduh terdiri daripada Radin Imran Radin Mohd Tassin, 62, isterinya Rosna Jantan, 59 serta tiga anak mereka Radin Romyullah, 34, Sobrina, 23, dan Mariah, 19.

PENGARUH JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH

Lanjutan dari kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh YB Menteri Dalam Negeri, Pihak Cawangan Khas PDRM-E8 telah mengenalpasti insiden serangan tersebut menjurus kepada tindakan persendirian (lone wolf) dan didorong dengan kefahaman sendiri tanpa melibatkan kumpulan pengganas JI.

Berdasarkan pada rekod, Pesantren Luqmanul Hakim, Ulu Tiram memang menjadi lokasi hotspot bagi pengikut JI. Namun, pemantauan pihak berkuasa selama ini kekal dengan analisis bahawa tiada indikator radikal serta ekstremisme dari saki-baki pengikut JI di kawasan tersebut. Mereka kekal menjalankan aktiviti seperti umat Islam bersama penduduk setempat. Sama seperti Maahad Ittiba As-Sunnah, Serting Negeri Sembilan yang merupakan lokasi pertama tertubuhnya JI di rantau ini.

Namun begitu, ideologi JI dilihat masih ada di Malaysia. Mereka boleh dianggap ‘sleeper cell’ yang mampu melaksanakan serangan keganasan apabila dipacu oleh sentimen kebencian. Kehadiran pengganas warganegara Malaysia, Muhammed Farik Amin dan Muhammed Nazir Lep (bersubahat dalam pengeboman di Bali 2002) yang bakal dibebaskan lima tahun lagi dari penjara Guatanamo harus diberi perhatian. Kedua suspek berada dalam tahanan sejak 2003 telah mendapat penambahan hukuman penjara sebanyak lima tahun oleh Hakim tentera AS Lt. Kol. Wesley A Braun sebelum dihantar ke Malaysia.

Serangan ke atas Balai Polis Ulu Tiram ini telah diikuti secara dekat oleh kebanyakan negara terutamanya Indonesia dan Singapura. Sekiranya serangan tersebut benar dirancang oleh JI, ia mampu memberi impak negatif ke atas dua negara ini yang masih mempunyai bekas anggota JI dan anggota yang masih aktif. Sebagai maklumat tambahan, kawasan Ulu Tiram (1993) pernah diklasifikasikan oleh pihak berkuasa sebagai hotspot bagi kumpulan militan/ekstremis serta menjadi pusat merekrut penganut fahaman Syiah.

PENUTUP

Insiden serangan bersenjata yang berlaku di Balai Polis di Ulu Tiram ini jelas membuktikan bahawa ideologi dan naratif yang bersifat ganas dan keras ini masih relevan dan diterima oleh segelintir masyarakat. Walaupun tindakan serangan ini tidak melibatkan mana-mana kumpulan pengganas namun serangan lone wolf ini mampu memberi impak negatif terutamanya tahap negara dimata negara luar.

Permasalahan seperti ini bukanlah satu perkara yang boleh diambil mudah atau di pandang remeh serta diinginkan oleh mana–mana negara di dalam dunia. Pengawasan secara sistematik dan menyeluruh harus digunapakai oleh semua khusus bagi pihak berkuasa dalam memerangi insiden ini daripada berulang kembali. Penguatkuasaan dan perlaksanaan undang-undang serta hukuman yang berat harus dikenakan kepada pelaku-pelaku yang terlibat dan didapati bersalah.

Dalam konteks tahap keselamatan instalasi penting seperti balai polis dan kem-kem tentera harus dinilai dan ditambah baik dari masa ke masa bagi memastikan ia sentiasa berfungsi seperti keperluan Arahan Keselamatan 2006 (Polis) dan Perintah Keselamatan ATM (Tentera) demi kepentingan bersama. 

 

GISBH: ADAKAH SATU ORGANISASI GENGSTERISME AGAMA YANG BOLEH MEMBERI ANCAMAN KEPADA BANGSA, AGAMA DAN NEGARA

Posted on by

ARTIKEL


"GISBH: ADAKAH SATU ORGANISASI GENGSTERISME AGAMA YANG
BOLEH MEMBERI ANCAMAN KEPADA BANGSA, AGAMA DAN NEGARA"

PENDAHULUAN

Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holding (GISBH) telah diasaskan sekitar tahun 2008 bagi menggantikan Rufaqa Corporation, yang ditubuhkan pada tahun 1997 untuk mengambil alih kepentingan perniagaan Darul Al-Arqam. Darul Al-Arqam telah diharamkan oleh Kerajaan Malaysia pada 1994 kerana didapati menyeleweng dari ajaran Islam.

GISBH telah melebarkan sayap perniagaannya secara transnasional hingga ke Haramayn iaitu pusat ibadat Islam di Arab Saudi. GISBH secara khususnya telah dipimpin oleh seorang wanita, Hatijah Aam yang merupakan salah seorang isteri kepada Ashaari Muhammad.

Pada Ogos 2024, dilaporkan bahawa organisasi GISBH ini telah mempunyai aset yang bernilai hampir kira-kira RM 325 juta dengan mempunyai 415 cawangan perniagaan di 20 buah negara termasuk United Kingdom, Australia, Emiriah Arab Bersatu, Perancis dan lain-lain negara lagi.

Antara aset berharga yang dimiliki oleh organisasi GISBH ini adalah seperti restoran, kedai bakeri dan kedai serbaneka di London, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai dan Mekah serta sebuah hotel di Turki dan Sarajevo.

Terdapat 25 buah anak syarikat yang berada di bawah pentadbiran organisasi GISBH ini. Kesemua 25 buah syarikat itu adalah seperti berikut:

  1. GISB Mart Sdn Bhd
  2. GISB Bakery, Restaurant & Catering Sdn Bhd
  3. GISB Industries Sdn Bhd
  4. GISB Distributor Sdn Bhd
  5. GISB Medicare Sdn Bhd
  6. GISB Event Management Sdn Bhd
  7. GISB Consultancy and Services Sdn Bhd
  8. GISB Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
  9. GISB Hi Tech Sdn Bhd
  10. GISB Maritime Sdn Bhd
  11. GISBH Berbahagia Sdn Bhd
  12. Ikhwan Biotechnology Sdn Bhd
  13. Ikhwan TV Network Sdn Bhd
  14. GISB Academy Sdn Bhd
  15. GISB Security Services Sdn Bhd
  16. Permodalan Berjiwa Sdn Bhd
  17. GISB Aeilah Mart Sdn Bhd
  18. GISB Poultry Sdn Bhd
  19. Ikhwan Meat & Chicken Supplies Sdn Bhd
  20. Ikhwan Fateh Poultry Sdn Bhd
  21. Ikhwan Hatchery Sdn Bhd
  22. Ikhwan Perkasa Genetik Sdn Bhd
  23. Fateh Biotech Sdn Bhd
  24. Ikhwan Travel Marketing & Services Sdn Bhd
  25. GISB Properties & Development Sdn Bhd

Kini struktur pentadbiran dan organisasi GISBH telah diterajui oleh Datuk Haji Nasiruddin Mohd Ali selaku Pengerusi Eksekutif & Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd. Nasiruddin turut dibantu oleh beberapa barisan tertinggi pentadbiran GISBH seperti Hasnan Abd Hamid, Muhammad Adib Attamimi Asaari, Mohd Fadhil Yassin, Ahmad Anuar Abdul Rahman, Nik Hazani Nik Muhammad, Azura Md Yusof, Roqaiyah Zakaria dan Ummu Mubarakah Attamimi Asaari.

SEJARAH KUMPULAN AL-ARQAM

Ashaari Muhammad @ Abuya

Menurut portal rasmi Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS), al-Arqam telah diasaskan pada 1968 oleh Ashaari Muhammad @ Abuya dan beberapa orang sahabat yang pada mulanya dikenali sebagai “Kumpulan Rumah Putih” di Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur. Tujuan penubuhan kumpulan ini adalah untuk menyedarkan kepada umat Islam khusus di Malaysia agar lebih menghayati makna Islam. Namun beberapa tahun kemudian, kumpulan ini telah menukar identiti nama gerakan mereka kepada Darul Arqam.

Khabar angin tersebar secara meluas beberapa tahun selepas itu mengenai amalan Aurad Muhammadiah yang telah diamalkan oleh Ashaari Muhammad dan pengikutnya. Isu tersebut telah mengundang kepada beberapa siri pengisytiharan keluar dari jemaah tersebut oleh beberapa orang kanan Darul Arqam serta pemecatan beberapa individu yang berpengaruh dalam kumpulan tersebut.

Perkampungan Al-Arqam

Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (MAIWP) telah bertindak memanggil Ashaari untuk memberikan penjelasan berkaitan isu tersebut dan beberapa perkara mengenai Aurad Muhammadiah. Menerusi pengakuan yang diberikan oleh Ashaari, beliau menafikan menyebarkan Aurad Muhammadiah di dalam Darul Arqam namun begitu tidak menafikan mengamalkan amalan tersebut.

Selain daripada itu, Ashaari Muhammad turut mengeluarkan satu kenyataan kontroversi memberitahu bahawa individu yang bertanggungjawab membawa Aurad Muhammadiah ialah Syeikh Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Suhaimi. Individu tersebut telah meninggal dunia pada tahun 1925. Menurut Ashaari, Syeikh Muhammad bakal hidup semula sebagai Imam Mahdi pada akhir zaman kelak.

Buku Terbitan Ashaari

Ekoran daripada isu-isu yang melanda Ashaari dan kumpulannya itu, jawatankuasa fatwa negeri-negeri telah sebulat suara untuk memutuskan bahawa fahaman Aurad Muhammadiah yang menjadi pegangan utama kumpulan Darul Arqam adalah bertentangan dengan syariat dan akidah Islam. Fahaman Aurad Muhammadiah turut diterjemahkan di dalam dua buah buku terbitan Ashaari dan Mohamad Taha as-Suhaimi iaitu “Aurad Muhammadiah Pegangan Darul Arqam Sekaligus Menjawab Tuduhan” dan “Manaqib (riwayat hidup) Syeikh Muhammad Abdullah As-Suhaimi”. Buku-buku ini telah diharamkan oleh pihak berkuasa Malaysia kerana terdapat ajaran-ajaran dan fahaman yang menyeleweng dari ajaran Islam serta dibimbangi mampu menyesatkan dan mengelirukan umat Islam khususnya di Malaysia.

Ashaari dan beberapa orang pemimpin kumpulan Darul Arqam telah ditahan menerusi Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) pada 2 September 1994. Beliau akhirnya dibebaskan dari tahanan namun masih terikat dengan perintah kediaman. Ashaari dilaporkan meninggal dunia pada 13 Mei 2010 akibat jangkitan paru-paru.

CONTOH AJARAN-AJARAN SESAT DI MALAYSIA

Ajaran sesat didefinisikan sebagai ajaran atau amalan yang bawa oleh orang Islam atau orang bukan Islam dengan dakwaan bahawa ajaran atau amalan tersebut adalah berlandaskan ajaran Islam. Hakikatnya ajaran tersebut bertentangan dengan sumber utama Islam iaitu Al-Quran, As-Sunnah, ­ijmak dan qias serta bercanggah dengan pegangan atau pandangan Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah (ASWJ) dari sudut akidah, syariat dan akhlak. Antara ajaran-ajaran sesat yang telah difatwakan haram oleh Malaysia adalah seperti berikut:

a. Kerajaan Langit – Ajaran sesat ini diperkenalkan pada pertengahan tahun  1980 dan diketuai oleh seorang rakyat Malaysia iaitu Arifin Mohammed atau lebih   dikenali dengan Ayah Pin di kalangan pengikutnya. Ayah Pin mendakwa dirinya sebagai Tuhan dan mampu menjelma sebagai Jesus, Buddha, Shiva malah sebagai Nabi    Muhammad SAW. Ayah Pin turut mendakwa dirinya mempunyai kuasa menyembuh    bagi segala penyakit dan turut mendakwa bahawa Mekah, Kaabah dan Air Zam-Zam adalah miliknya dan dibina setelah mendapat wahyu dari langit. Ajaran Ayah Pin atau Kerajaan Langit ini telah diharamkan oleh Kerajaan Malaysia pada tahun 2005.

b. Taslim – Taslim atau turut dikenali sebagai ajaran Matahari adalah ajaran sesat tertua yang wujud sekitar tahun 1870 dan terletak di Kampung Seronok, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang. Pada tahun 1872, seorang individu bernama Haji Muhammed Shayfie   telah berpindah ke Kampung Seronok dan telah menggelarkan dirinya sebagai Taslim iaitu pengasas ajaran Matahari. Ajaran Matahari itu dikatakan mempunyai kaitan dengan kenyataannya yang pernah dibuat di hadapan mufti Kedah ketika ditanya mengenai tuhan lalu dia menunjuk jarinya ke arah matahari. Ada yang mengatakan bahawa pengikutnya tertarik dengan ajaran itu disebabkan amalannya yang mudah  seperti tidak perlu sembahyang kerana Allah berada dalam tubuh badan apabila  mengucap.

c. Ajaran Millah Ibrahim@Abraham – Millah Ibrahim@Abraham telah    ditubuhkan oleh Ahmad Musadiq dari Indonesia yang mana beliau pernah membawa  ajaran sesat Al-Qiyadah pada tahun 2007. Millah Ibrahim@Abraham merupakan  sebuah komuniti ajaran sesat dari Bogor, Indonesia. Penubuhannya melibatkan sebahagian Kalimantan khususnya di Pontianak, Sarawak, Sabah, Semenanjung Malaysia dan Indonesia. Di Malaysia, ajaran sesat ini dipercayai dianggotai seramai  4,000 hingga 6,000 orang pengikut. Ajaran sesat Millah Ibrahim@Abraham berpegang   kepada jihad perang sebagai panduan dalam mewujudkan Daulah Islamiyah atau Negara Islam di Borneo. Ajaran sesat ini turut mencampur-adukkan ajaran Islam, Nasrani dan Yahudi. Mereka turut menganggap orang lain yang belum berbaiah sebagai  kafir. Dalam ajarannya, pengikut hanya perlu melakukan solat malam, tanpa solat lima waktu. Ajaran sesat Millah Ibrahim@Abraham turut menyatakan agama Islam yang  ada masa kini tidak lagi asli kerana Islam yang sebenarnya telah lama terhapus akibat  serangan Moghul ke atas kerajaan Abbasiyah pada abad ke 10 dan 11. Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Perundingan Hukum Syarak Wilayah Persekutuan pada 19 Nov 14 telah  mengambil keputusan bahawa ajaran Millah Ibrahim@Abraham adalah sesat dan  menyeleweng daripada akidah Islam.

KRONOLOGI PEMBONGKARAN KES GISBH

Podcast selebriti tempatan, Caprice

21 Feb 24, bekas ahli pengikut gerakan atau kumpulan ajaran sesat bermotifkan agama telah tampil membuat satu pendedahan eksklusif menceritakan segala kesesatan dan kezaliman yang pernah dilalui oleh dirinya serta keluarga semasa bergelar sebagai seorang pengikut dalam gerakan tersebut. Pendedahan eksklusif ini telah diceritakan menerusi satu podcast selebriti tempatan, Caprice atau nama sebenarnya, Ariz Ramli.

Sekitar Jul 24, terdapat pengkaji dari Majlis Agama Islam Negeri mengemukakan beberapa bukti penyelewengan dan kesesatan di dalam pengurusan pihak GISBH kepada Mufti Negeri Perlis, Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (Dr Maza). Dr Maza diberitahu oleh pengkaji tersebut bahawa GISBH didakwa masih mengamalkan beberapa ajaran dan ideologi kumpulan al-Aqram yang diharamkan pada tahun 1994 atas kesalahan ajaran sesat.

16 Ogos 24, Dr Maza kelihatan sangat konsisten dalam mendedahkan dapatan kajian serta aduan mangsa-mangsa kumpulan GISBH menerusi beberapa siri ceramah yang dilaksanakan oleh Dr Maza. Menurut Dr Maza, kumpulan yang didakwa terlibat dalam isu ini dilabelkannya sebagai gengsterisme agama. Dalam masa yang sama, Pusat Kajian Ajaran Sesat (PUKAS) Malaysia, turut sama mula mendedahkan segala kegiatan sesat GISBH menerusi platform media sosial di Facebook dan TikTok. PUKAS telah memuat naik semula video-video lama aktiviti yang berkait dengan GISBH. Selain itu, terdapat satu akaun Facebook iaitu Pseudoscience Watch (PW) bertindak membongkar isu yang sedang tular ini namun lebih kepada sudut jenayah terhadap kemanusiaan yang melibatkan kanak-kanak.

29 Ogos 24, pihak tertinggi pengurusan GISBH di dalam satu kenyataan media telah menyuarakan tuntutan permohonan maaf daripada Dr Maza, Timbalan Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan, Jamali Muhd Adnan dan Ustaz Daud Lin Abdullah di atas dakwaan penyebaran fitnah, kebencian serta tohmahan ke atas GISBH.

4 Sep 24, Mokhtar Tajuddin selaku Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Pentadbiran GISBH telah tampil untuk memberikan dan menjelaskan segala dakwaan dan spekulasi yang sedang panas melanda GISBH di platform podcast milik Caprice. Dalam podcast tersebut, Tajuddin juga telah menyatakan hasrat untuk mengadakan pertemuan dengan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Hal Ehwal Agama), Datuk Seri Mohd Na’im Mokhtar.

7 Sep 24, Pegawai Tugas-Tugas Khas (PTTK) serta Penasihat Khas kepada Menteri Komunikasi, YB Fahmi Fadzil iaitu En Farhan Zulkefly dan Dr Abu Hafiz Salleh Hudin telah dihubungi agar isu yang sedang melanda ini dapat ditangani secara telus dan serius oleh pihak kementerian. Bertindak di atas arahan, Farhan dan Dr Abu Hafiz kemudiannya menghubungi Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara serta Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Hal Ehwal Agama) agar siasatan lebih lanjut dapat dilaksanakan berhubung isu GISBH ini. Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Hal Ehwal Agama) iaitu Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar telah mengesahkan berkaitan pertemuan tersebut dan menggesa wakil pihak GISBH untuk berdiskusi dengan Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) berhubung dengan isu yang dikaitkan dengan GISBH.

11 Sep 24, Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM) telah melaksanakan satu operasi dengan menyerbu hampir 20 buah rumah amal yang dipercayai dimiliki oleh GISBH di sekitar Selangor dan Negeri Sembilan. Hasil daripada operasi yang dikenali sebagai Ops Global ini, seramai 402 kanak-kanak telah berjaya diselamatkan. PDRM bersama-sama agensi berkaitan telah melaksanakan proses dokumentasi kanak-kanak yang diselamatkan di Pulapol Kuala Lumpur. Dalam masa yang sama, seorang wanita berusia 19 tahun telah didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen Seremban atas empat pertuduhan penderaan fizikal ke atas empat kanak-kanak lingkungan usia 5 tahun hingga 6 tahun. Kejadian dilaporkan berlaku di sebuah pusat asuhan di Seremban yang dikaitkan dengan GISBH.

13 Sep 24, Tan Sri Razarudin Husain selaku Ketua Polis Negara (KPN) telah mengadakan sidang media berhubung kes ini dan turut mendedahkan bahawa sejumlah 41 laporan polis berkaitan GISBH telah diterima sejak tahun 2011 hingga September tahun ini. Menurut KPN, seramai 159 individu daripada 171 yang ditahan mendapat kebenaran perintah reman manakala mereka yang dibawah umur tiada keperluan untuk disiasat. PDRM turut mengesahkan seramai 483 individu telah dirakam percakapan serta diambil kenyataan terdiri daripada mangsa, pengadu, saksi dan suspek. Seramai 384 orang kanak-kanak dan remaja telah selesai menjalani saringan kesihatan. Berdasarkan pada hasil saringan tersebut, didapati wujud ciri-ciri pengabaian dan penganiayaan terhadap mangsa-mangsa yang terlibat.

17 Sep 24, KPN telah mengesahkan sebanyak 96 akaun bank milik GISBH telah dibekukan dan empat akaun ditutup dipercayai mempunyai nilai aset lebih RM581,000. Kesemua mangsa yang diselamatkan menerusi Op Global selesai menjalani saringan kesihatan dan terdapat elemen jenayah fizikal serta emosi dikesan melalui keputusan saringan tersebut. PDRM telah mengeluarkan tiga kertas siasatan berhubung Op Global dan telah diserahkan kepada Jabatan Peguam Negara. Dalam pada itu, terdapat seorang ahli perniagaan yang juga merupakan anggota GISBH iaitu Mohamad Riza Makar, 39 tahun, mengaku tidak bersalah di atas pertuduhan melakukan jenayah berunsur ugutan terhadap seorang wanita. Pertuduhan dibicarakan di Mahkamah Majistret Putrajaya.

19 Sep 24, 19 individu terdiri daripada pemimpin, isteri dan pengurusan tertinggi GISBH telah ditahan oleh PDRM dan direman selama tujuh hari bagi membantu siasatan. Selain itu, tiga pembantu pengajar di sebuah madrasah yang terletak di Kuala Pilah, dipercayai terdapat hubung kait dengan GISBH telah didakwa di Mahkamah Sesyen Seremban. Ketiga-tiga tertuduh mengaku tidak bersalah di atas 14 pertuduhan melakukan amang seksual terhadap lima kanak-kanak pada tahun 2022 dan 2023. Sehari selepas itu, tujuh individu lagi telah ditahan untuk membantu siasatan berhubung kes pemerdagangan orang. Kesemua mereka dipercayai mempunyai kaitan dengan GISBH. Antara individu yang ditahan termasuk anak bekas pemimpin Al-Arqam yang juga merupakan anggota kumpulan Remaja Pembela Ummah (RPU) GISBH.

21 Sep 24, Mesyuarat Khas Jawatankuasa Fatwa Negeri Perlis memutuskan bahawa kepercayaan dan ajaran dalam GISBH mengandungi unsur ajaran sesat khususnya batiniah. Menurut Mufti Perlis, Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (Dr Maza), fatwa berkenaan dikeluarkan selepas menerima bukti yang meyakinkan untuk jawatankuasa berkenaan memutuskan bahawa organisasi berkenaan sesat. Ujar Dr Maza, unsur ajaran batiniah berkenaan juga adalah kesinambungan daripada ajaran al-Arqam yang difatwakan sesat.

23 Sep 24, pasukan PDRM mendapati bahawa terdapat ahli GISBH yang masih mengamalkan ajaran Aurad Muhammadiah, iaitu fahaman yang dibawa oleh pengikut kumpulan ajaran sesat al-Arqam. Laporan ini diperkuatkan lagi susulan dengan penemuan buku-buku dan risalah di premis milik GISBH menerusi Op Global yang dilaksanakan oleh PDRM dan agensi-agensi terlibat.

PANDANGAN DAN KRITIKAN

Berhubung dengan isu penindasan, eksploitasi kanak-kanak, penyelewengan ajaran agama serta kes liwat yang dikaitkan dengan organisasi ini telah mendapat reaksi dari pelbagai pihak. Isu yang tercetus ini merupakan satu isu yang amat serius dan memerlukan siasatan secara terperinci oleh pihak yang bertanggungjawab kerana ianya dilihat melibatkan agama serta nilai sosial seseorang individu itu. Sehubungan dengan itu, terdapat beberapa pandangan dan kritikan yang telah dilemparkan berkaitan isu ini.

17 Sep 24, KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim telah menitahkan agar PDRM menjalankan siasatan segera dan menyeluruh berkaitan dengan isu jenayah dan penganiayaan terhadap kanak-kanak yang dikatakan mempunyai kaitan dengan rumah amal di bawah GISBH. Baginda turut bertitah mengingatkan kepada semua bahawa perkara yang melibatkan akidah umat Islam seharusnya dipelihara sebilang masa dan tidak boleh dipandang ringan. Sultan Ibrahim turut mengingatkan agar semua pihak tidak mengeluarkan sebarang pandangan atau kenyataan yang melampau berkaitan dengan isu agama kerana isu ini amat sensitif dan harus ditangani dengan berhati-hati.

Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mahukan tindakan yang segera dilaksanakan melibatkan siasatan dan laporan berhubung isu GISBH yang antaranya melibatkan eksploitasi kanak-kanak. Beliau turut menambah dalam kenyataan bahawa isu berkaitan akidah, salah guna kuasa, salah guna agama serta penderaan adalah perkara besar, jika terbukti benar. Sehubungan itu, beliau menyerahkan kepada pihak berkuasa berkaitan termasuk PDRM untuk menjalankan siasatan dan tindakan mengikut undang-undang.

Pada 16 Sep 24, Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir menzahirkan rasa dukacita dan kesal terhadap isu yang membabitkan organisasi GISBH. Tuanku Muhriz bertitah bahawa perbuatan organisasi yang dipercayai berselindung disebalik kebajikan Islam ini merupakan contoh perbuatan yang tidak sepatutnya timbul di negara ini. Baginda turut bertitah bahawa ia menjadi tanggungjawab dan amanah setiap umat Islam untuk menunjukkan nilai Islam sebenar dalam kehidupan seharian.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Undang-undang dan Reformasi Institusi), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said berasa amat dukacita dan mengutuk sekeras-kerasnya kes 402 orang kanak-kanak yang telah menjadi mangsa jenayah seksual dan eksploitasi di 20 buah rumah amal di Selangor dan Negeri Sembilan. Beliau turut mengarahkan Jabatan Bantuan Guaman (JBG) untuk menyantuni kanak-kanak dan keluarga mereka yang menjadi mangsa dalam kes ini dengan menawarkan khidmat ‘pendamping kanak-kanak’ atau legal companion kepada mangsa-mangsa terlibat. Beliau turut menyatakan bahawa pihak kerajaan tidak akan sesekali berkompromi dalam hal-hal penindasan yang melibatkan kanak-kanak.

Presiden Pertubuhan Generasi Aspirasi Pemimpin Wanita Malaysia (GAP.MY), Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid berpendapat bahawa pendedahan berkaitan eksploitasi kanak-kanak dan remaja yang dikaitkan dengan GISBH merupakan satu insiden yang yang benar-benar menimbulkan kebimbangan serta kerisauan terhadap hak, kesejahteraan dan keselamatan kanak-kanak serta remaja pada masa kini. Menurutnya lagi, kanak-kanak adalah merupakan amanah yang perlu dijaga, dilindungi dan diberikan pendidikan yang sewajarnya. Sebarang bentuk penindasan dan eksploitasi khusus yang sedang berlaku di dalam institusi yang dikaitkan dengan keagamaan, tidak boleh dibiarkan berlaku secara berterusan. Kegagalan untuk melindungi golongan ini daripada dieksploitasi adalah satu pengkhianatan besar kepada kepercayaan dan tanggungjawab kita sebagai masyarakat.  

Isu berkaitan doktrin fahaman GISBH telah dibincangkan oleh Jawatankuasa Muzakarah Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi Hal Ehwal Agama Islam Malaysia (MKI) yang telah bersidang pada 24 hingga 26 September 2024. Menurut Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, Jawatankuasa Fatwa MKI hanya akan mengeluarkan pandangan hukum mengenai GISBH dan bukan fatwa. Beliau memberitahu bahawa fatwa berhubung GISBH akan diputuskan oleh Majlis Agama Islam setiap negeri masing-masing. Intipati perbincangan ini akan dibawa ke Majlis Raja-Raja yang bersidang pada 23 dan 24 Oktober untuk mendapat perkenan.

PENEMUAN BARANGAN BUKTI YANG BERTENTANGAN DENGAN AJARAN ISLAM DI MALAYSIA

Kejayaan Op Global yang dilaksanakan PDRM bersama beberapa agensi kerajaan berjaya menyelamatkan 402 kanak-kanak yang dipercayai dieksploitasi di 20 buah rumah kebajikan. Turut ditahan seramai 171 individu yang mengendalikan premis terbabit bagi siasatan lanjut. Operasi yang dilaksanakan ini turut membongkarkan segala modus operandi gerakan berlandaskan Islam yang telah mengeksploitasi kanak-kanak serta remaja.

Operasi ini turut berjaya menemukan beberapa barangan yang dipercayai digunakan dalam perihal urusniaga organisasi tersebut. Turut dijumpai adalah beberapa naskah majalah yang dipercayai mempunyai kaitan dengan al-Arqam yang telah difatwakan haram pada tahun 1994 kerana menyeleweng daripada ajaran Islam.

Bukan itu sahaja, menerusi akaun Facebook milik PUKAS, terdapat satu video yang telah dimuat naik menyaksikan sesi temu bual yang melibatkan bekas pekerja GISBH telah mendakwa mereka diberikan sebotol air yang kononnya dipanggil sebagai ‘air berkat’. Kandungan di dalam ‘air berkat’ itu dipercayai mengandungi rendaman janggut, rambut, dan air basuhan badan para pimpinan GISBH. Bekas pekerja GISBH tersebut turut mendakwa bahawa mereka diarahkan untuk menyemburkan ‘air berkat’ tersebut ke dalam makanan-makanan yang dijual di restoran milik GISBH. ‘Air berkat’ tersebut dikatakan menjadi azimat bagi para pengikut GISBH.

PDRM bersama-sama agensi tempatan telah melakukan serbuan ke atas premis-premis dan rumah milik pemimpin tertinggi GISBH di sekitar Malaysia. Di Kelantan, polis telah berjaya merampas pelbagai jenis risalah dan buku berkaitan doktrin diperjuangkan oleh GISBH yang telah ditanam dan dibakar berhampiran dengan rumah Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) GISBH di Kampung Panji, Kota Bahru. Seterusnya di Melaka, ratusan buku dan barangan berkaitan ajaran sesat Al-Arqam ditemukan dalam serbuan ke atas 19 premis dipercayai milik GISBH. Turut ditemukan 12 gambar pengasas al-Arqam iaitu Ashaari Muhammad serta jadual zikir Aurad Muhammadiah.

 

FATWA MAJLIS AGAMA ISLAM NEGERI BERKAITAN GISBH

Negeri Perlis – Jawatankuasa Fatwa Negeri Perlis telah memutuskan bahawa kepercayaan dan ajaran di dalam GISBH mengandungi unsur anjaran sesat khususnya batiniah. Menurut Mufti Perlis, Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin (Dr Maza), fatwa berkenaan dikeluarkan selepas menerima bukti yang menyakinkan untuk jawatankuasa berkenaan memutuskan bahawa organisasi tersebut sesat. Ujar Dr Maza, unsur ajaran batiniah adalah merupakan kesinambungan daripada ajaran al-Arqam yang difatwakan sebagai ajaran sesat.

Negeri Selangor – DYMM Sultan Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj telah memberi perkenan kepada fatwa berkenaan fahaman, ajaran, pegangan dan amalan yang diamalkan GISBH serta rangkaiannya. Jawatankuasa Fatwa Negeri Selangor menyakini bahawa pemimpin, pengikut, pekerja malah ahli GISBH dan rangkaiannya adalah menyeleweng daripada akidah Islam yang sebenar. Mufti Selangor, Sahibus Samahah Dato’ Setia Dr. Haji Anhar Haji Opir memberitahu jawatankuasa itu memutuskan dimana fahaman, pegangan, amalan serta ajaran GISBH mempunyai ciri-ciri yang menyeleweng daripada ajaran Islam yang sebenar menurut pegangan ASWJ daripada aspek akidah mahupun syariat.

Negeri Pahang – Jawatankuasa Perundingan Hukum Syarak Negeri Pahang telah memutuskan bahawa fahaman yang didukung oleh GISBH adalah sesat dan menyeleweng. Keputusan ini dibuat setelah jawatankuasa itu selesai bermesyuarat bagi membincangkan perihal isu ini dan mendapat perkenan dari KDYMM Sultan Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. Mufti Pahang, Profesor Datuk Dr Asmadi Mohamed Naim berkata golongan yang disebut sebagai menyeleweng dan sesat itu bila mana mereka meneruskan amalan dan kepercayaan dalam Aurad Muhammadiah yang dibawa oleh al-Arqam, yang telah diwartakan sesat dan menyeleweng pada 1994. 

Negeri Melaka – Jawatankuasa Fatwa Melaka memutuskan bahawa kepercayaan dan ajaran dalam GISBH adalah sesat dan tersasar daripada ajaran Islam sebenar dan pegangan ASWJ. Menurut Mufti Melaka, Datuk Abdul Halim Tawil, keputusan fatwa ini diputuskan dalam Mesyuarat Jawatankuasa Fatwa yang berlangsung pada 3 Oktober 2024 lalu selepas mendapati beberapa elemen organisasi itu bertentangan dengan hukum syarak yang diamalkan di Malaysia.

Negeri Sabah – Majlis Fatwa Negeri Sabah memutuskan fahaman, ajaran, amalan dan pegangan ahli GISBH serta rangkaian syarikat gabungan miliknya jelas menyeleweng dan bercanggah daripada ajaran Islam. Keputusan ini diputuskan oleh Pejabat Mufti Negeri Sabah pada Muzakarah Khas Majlis Fatwa Negeri Sabah 2024 yang telah bersidang pada 1 dan 2 Oktober lalu. Pejabat Mufti menekankan mengenai penyelewengan GISBH meliputi aspek akidah, syariah, akhlak, kemanusiaan, kekeluargaan, dan ekonomi. Penyelewengan ini dilihat menjurus kepada perpecahan umat serta diyakini mampu mengancam keselamatan negara.

Negeri Pulau Pinang – Jawatankuasa Fatwa Pulau Pinang bertindak memutuskan ajaran, pegangan, dan fahaman yang diamalkan oleh pemimpin, pengikut, serta pekerja GISBH bercanggah daripada ajaran Islam. Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1 merangkap Yang Dipertua Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (MAINPP) berkata kumpulan GISBH masih meneruskan pegangan serta amalan al-Arqam dan Rufaqa Cooperation yang telah difatwakan sesat sebelum ini. Ahli jemaah GISBH masih mengamalkan Aurad Muhammadiah dan menyakini bahawa amalan bertabarruk iaitu air basuhan anggota badan pimpinan mereka membawa berkat. 

KESAN/ANCAMAN 

Perpaduan Keluarga, Masyarakat dan Politik. Kesan ajaran sesat terhadap keluarga dapat dilihat menerusi keretakan yang membawa kepada runtuhnya sesebuah institusi kekeluargaan tersebut. Perkara ini dapat diperkuatkan lagi apabila timbulnya rasa curiga antara ahli keluarga ekoran daripada perbezaan akidah serta kepercayaan. Disamping itu, ajaran sesat dikhuatiri akan menyebabkan tergugatnya sesuatu perpaduan umat seperti tercetusnya keganasan atas dasar taasub dan fanatik secara membuta tuli terhadap pemimpin atau figura. Pengikut ajaran sesat ini tidak akan mengamalkan sikap hormat menghormati antara masyarakat kerana mereka ini telah didoktrinasi oleh fahaman yang menganggap bahawa mereka sahaja yang sentiasa benar. Kehadiran ajaran sesat lazimnya akan mencetuskan perbalahan antara keluarga dan masyarakat sehingga membawa kepada kehidupan berpuak-puak yang memecahbelahkan keluarga, agama mahupun bangsa. Tidak dinafikan bahawa ajaran sesat ini berupaya untuk menerapkan perasaan benci membenci, perbalahan malah berkemungkinan untuk berlakunya pembunuhan sesama sendiri jika para pengikut ajaran sesat ini sudah berada pada tahap radikal.

Keterlaluan. Sifat keterlaluan atau ekstrem beragama merujuk kepada perilaku berlebih-lebihan dalam pelaksanaan terhadap hukum-hukum syariat sehingga mempersulitkan diri sendiri mahupun orang lain. Seseorang yang ekstrem akan bersikap rigid terhadap urusan-urusan agama tanpa memperlihat pada sudut etika-etika syariat serta kaedah-kaedah agama. Sikap keterlaluan atau ekstrem beragama ini dapat dilihat menerusi golongan yang menolak pegangan ASWJ dan mengamalkan ajaran yang jelas terbukti bertentangan daripada ajaran yang sepatutnya. Selepas hampir 30 tahun Kerajaan Malaysia mengharamkan ajaran Al-Arqam, negara dikejutkan dengan pembongkaran kegiatan di GISBH yang dikatakan membawa semula ajaran al-Arqam dalam organisasi mereka. Pelbagai dakwaan dan cerita perihal kegiatan ekstrem GISBH telah dirungkaikan oleh bekas pengikutnya. Antaranya adalah mengenai “air berkat” basuhan janggut, gigi, rambut dan rendaman kaki yang dicampurkan dalam makanan serta minuman yang kononnya membawa azimat.  Perkara ini harus diambil serius kerana ia mampu menjurus kepada munculnya fahaman serta ajaran yang menyesatkan.  

Ideologi. Bersikap terlalu fanatik dan taasub dalam beragama merupakan satu tindakan yang mampu memberi kesan buruk. Mereka yang terlalu berfanatik dan taasub beragama ini kebiasaannya akan menganggap dan merasakan bahawa “tokoh” atau pemimpin yang mereka ikuti itu adalah merupakan individu yang harus mereka percayai. Ideologi atau naratif yang bersifat keras atau melampau juga dilihat mampu wujud menerusi sikap fanatik dan taasub beragama ini. Hal ini kerana, bila seseorang individu atau kumpulan itu mula bertindak memilih pendekataan kekerasan iaitu menggunakan senjata bagi menghapuskan apa yang telah dianggap batil, atau cuba untuk mengubah kemungkaran dengan menggunakan persenjataan. Walaupun tiada tindakan agresif yang diambil oleh penyokong GISBH, namun sikap taasub dan fanatik mampu mendorong aktiviti keganasan untuk berlaku.

PENUTUP

Isu yang berkaitan GISBH ini hendaklah diselesaikan dengan cara yang penuh cermat dan hemat kerana ia melibatkan pelbagai pihak. Pihak berkuasa tempatan perlu memainkan peranan penting dalam menangani isu-isu ini supaya ia tidak menjadi permainan politik mahupun figura persendirian dalam mencapai matlamat mereka. Pemerhatian dan pantauan secara rapi dilihat menjadi objektif utama pihak bertanggungjawab dalam memastikan tiada unsur-unsur kewujudan ajaran sesat mahupun penyelewangan agama berlaku di dalam negara ini yang jelas mengamalkan ajaran ASWJ.

Akidah dan pegangan ASWJ adalah merupakan satu-satunya akidah dan pegangan yang dijanjikan oleh Rasulullah SAW yang selamat dan merupakan pegangan rasmi institusi dan masyarakat Islam di negara ini. Sehubungan itu, menjadi tanggungjawab masyarakat khususnya Islam untuk menjauhi segara ajaran, fahaman, pegangan mahupun ideologi yang bercanggah dan menyeleweng daripada ASWJ sebagaimana yang difatwakan oleh Majlis Agama atau Pejabat Mufti negeri-negeri di seluruh Malaysia. Segala fahaman dan ajaran baharu yang dilihat mengelirukan perlulah dirujuk terlebih dahulu kepada Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan, Pejabat Mufti Negeri serta institusi-institusi Islam lain yang bertanggungjawab.

Penularan ajaran sesat dalam kalangan masyarakat khususnya di Malaysia bukan sahaja memberi kesan dari sudut akidah dan syariat Islam, malah ia memberi kesan dari segi ketenteraman awam dan keselamatan negara. Oleh yang demikian, pelan tindakan strategik perlu diwujudkan atau dikemasikini oleh pihak bertanggungjawab bagi menangani ancaman ajaran sesat secara sistematik. Setiap daripada kita hendaklah memuliakan tanpa mengambil kira perbezaan kebudayaan dan menghormati perbezaan agama bagi mengelakkan konflik. Dengan wujudnya nilai sedemikian, kedamaian dan keamanan dapat terjamin sekaligus membuatkan kehidupan semua orang selesa.  

INSIDEN SERANGAN PENGGANAS DI DEWAN BANDARAYA CROCUS DI WILAYAH MOSCOW, RUSIA

Posted on by

ARTIKEL


INSIDEN SERANGAN PENGGANAS DI DEWAN BANDARAYA CROCUS
DI WILAYAH MOSCOW, RUSIA

PENDAHULUAN

Pada 22 Mac 24 lebih kurang sekitar jam 2000, Rusia telah dikejutkan dengan insiden serangan keganasan yang telah sekian lama tidak berlaku. Insiden serangan keganasan pada kali ini telah berlaku di Dewan Bandaraya Crocus di wilayah Moscow. Dewan Bandaraya ini diserang oleh pengganas semasa sedang menganjurkan satu konsert. Pengganas dilihat menyerbu masuk ke dalam dewan ini dan terus melepaskan tembakan secara rambang ke arah orang awam yang berada di dalam dewan berkenaan.

Lokasi insiden di Dewan Bandaraya Crocus, Moscow

Insiden ini telah menyebabkan seramai lebih kurang 137 orang awam terbunuh dan lebih 100 orang yang lain tercedera. Difahamkan, kumpulan pengganas dikenali sebagai Islamic State in Khorosan Province (ISKP) telah mengaku bertanggungjawab di atas serangan yang berlaku di Moscow itu. Kumpulan ISKP mengeluarkan satu kenyataan menerusi platform Telegram Amaq, iaitu salah satu dari media yang mempunyai hubungan dengan kumpulan ini. Akan tetapi, tiada sebarang maklum balas dari Pihak Rusia mengenai kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh ISKP ini.

SEJARAH INSIDEN SERANGAN YANG PERNAH BERLAKU DI RUSIA

Rusia merupakan sebuah kuasa besar dunia yang mempunyai ekonomi, politik, sosio – ekonomi, dan pertahanan yang baik. Namun begitu, ianya tidak menghalang negara sehebat Rusia ini bebas dari ancaman keganasan. Antara insiden serangan keganasan yang pernah berlaku adalah seperti berikut:

  1. Apartment Bombings (1999)- Pada 13 Sept 99, satu letupan bom telah berlaku di sebuah bangunan pangsapuri lapan tingkat di kawasan tenggara Moscow. Insiden letupan bom tersebut telah meragut nyawa seramai 118 orang dan mengakibatkan ramai tercedera ekoran daripada impak bom berkenaan. Puak militan dari republik Chechya dikatakan bertanggungjawab melakukan insiden pengeboman di pangsapuri tersebut berdasarkan laporan daripada pihak Moscow. Presiden Rusia, Vladimir Putin dilaporkan telah mengguna pakai serangan tersebut sebagai permulaan kepada proses kempen beliau dalam menumpaskan pemberontakan puak militan di Chechya.
  2. Dubrovka Theatre Crisis (2002) – Pada 23 Okt 02, Pada 23 Okt 02, Rusia dikejutkan dengan satu insiden pengepungan di Teater Dubrovka oleh Militan Chencen yang diketuai oleh Movsar Barayev. Seramai 40 orang militan terlibat dalam insiden ini. Anggaran seramai 912 orang telah dijadikan tebusan oleh Militan Chechen. Insiden ini berakhir apabila Pasukan Keselamatan (PK) Rusia mengambil keputusan dengan mengepam gas ke dalam dewan tersebut sebelum menyerbu masuk dan menumpaskan kesemua militan. Ekoran daripada insiden ini, 130 tebusan dilaporkan terkorban.

  3. Serangan Pengebom Berani Mati di Tushino (2003) – Pada 5 Jul 03, sekurang-kurangnya 16 orang maut manakala lebih daripada 20 cedera parah apabila terdapat 2 orang wanita pengebom berani mati berjaya melaksanakan misi pengeboman mereka dengan meletupkan diri semasa sedang berlangsungnya sebuah konsert di kawasan lapangan terbang Tushino. Kedua-dua wanita tersebut meletupkan diri berdekatan kaunter tiket di pintu masuk utama konsert berkenaan. Daripada penemuan passport yang ditemui di mayat suspek, PK Rusia mengenal pasti salah seorang suspek pengebom berani mati ini sebagai Zalikhan Elikhadzhiyeva, 20, dari perkampungan Chechen di Kurchaloi. Pihak Rusia mendakwa bahawa puak militan Chenchen bertanggungjawab ke atas insiden pengeboman ini. 

  4. Moscow Metro Bombing (2004) – Pada 6 Feb 04, kira-kira seramai 39 orang terbunuh dan sekurang-kurangnya 120 cedera dalam satu serangan pengeboman berani mati yang berlaku di stesen kereta api bawah tanah Avtozavodskaya di Laluan Zamoskvoretskaya di Moscow. Pelaku bertindak melakukan serangan ketika orang ramai sedang sibuk menggunakan perkhidmatan awam tersebut. Presiden Vladimir Putin yang baru sahaja memenangi pilihan raya mendakwa bahawa militan Chechen merupakan dalang disebalik insiden pengeboman tersebut. Namun, pemimpin militan Chechen menafikan penglibatan mereka dalam insiden itu.

  5. Beslan School Siege (2004) – Militan Chenchen masih meneruskan serangan keganasan terhadap Rusia. Pada 1 Sep 04, militan ini telah menyerbu masuk sebuah sekolah di Beslan iaitu sebuah bandar terletak di Caucasus Utara. Mereka telah menjadikan hampir 1000 orang sebagai tebusan yang terdiri daripada pelajar – pelajar sekolah. Puak militan ini juga telah bertindak dengan meletakkan bahan letupan di dalam bangunan berkenaan. Impak daripada insiden ini, dianggarkan seramai 330 terbunuh termasuk 186 orang kanak – kanak dan 700 lagi cedera.

  6. Nevsky Express Bombings (2009) –Pengeboman Nevsky Express berlaku pada 27 Nov 09 apabila bom meletup di bawah kereta api berkelajuan tinggi yang bergerak antara bandar Rusia Moscow dan Saint Petersburg menyebabkan ia tergelincir berhampiran bandar Bologoye, Wilayah Tver. Laporan daripada pihak berkuasa Rusia menyatakan bahawa serangan bom ini telah mengakibatkan 39 orang terbunuh dan 95 lagi cedera. Militan Chechen mengaku bertanggungjawab ke atas serangan ini.

  7. Metrojet Flight 9268 Crash (2015) – Pada 31 Ok 15, kumpulan pengganas Daesh dikatakan telah meletakkan bom di atas sebuah pesawat penumpang Rusia. Ekoran daripada letupan bom berkenaan, seramai 224 orang penumpang telah terbunuh. Kebanyakkan daripada penumpang yang ada di dalam pesawat tersebut merupakan warga Rusia yang baru pulang bercuti dari Mesir.

LATAR BELAKANG ISLAMIC STATE IN KHOROSAN PROVINCE (ISKP)

ISKP ditubuhkan pada 2014 sebagai kumpulan pembelot dari Al-Qaeda, Tehrik e – Taliban (TTP) dan bekas pejuang Taliban dari Afghanistan dan Pakistan. Pada Januari 2015, Negara Islam Pusat secara rasmi mengumumkan perluasannya secara besar – besaran sehingga masuk ke wilayah Khorasan. ISKP dilaporkan mempunyai seramai 4000 – 6000 ahli yang berdaftar. Tidak jelas siapa yang mengetuai ISKP setelah bekas pemimpin mereka iaitu Sanaullah Ghafari dibunuh oleh Taliban pada 2023. Oleh itu, hubungan antara ahli ISKP dengan kumpulan – kumpulan lain seperti Al-Qaeda dan TTP disifarkan sebagai “kabur”.  

ISKP muncul dan lahir dari hegemoni Daesh di tengah – tengah konflik yang telah sedia ada wujud di Afghanistan, Pakistan, dan India. Kemunculan ISKP ini bakal memberi potensi ancaman baharu keganasan kepada negara – negara di luar rantau Asia Selatan. 

Islamic State in Khorosan Province (ISKP) telah mendapat pengiktirafan daripada Daesh di Syria. Penggunaan perkataan Khorosan sangat signifikan kepada kumpulan ini. Khorosan merupakan satu tempat dari arah timur yang selalu disebut dalam beberapa hadis menyatakan bahawa akan datangnya tentera yang membawa panji – panji dibawah pimpinanan Imam Mahdi. Hadis ini telah dijadikan naratif dan propaganda oleh kumpulan Daesh

MOTIF SERANGAN/ MENGAPA RUSIA MENJADI SASARAN PENGGANAS

Dasar Luar Rusia dikatakan menjadi satu tanda amaran utama bagi ISKP. Pencerobohan Kesatuan Soviet ke atas Afghanistan, tindakan Rusia di Chechya, hubungan eratnya dengan kerajaan Iran dan Syria, dan elemen penting khususnya operasi ketenteraan yang telah dilakukannya di Syria terhadap kumpulan Daesh dengan menggunakan tentera upahan. Disebabkan semua itu, “perang propaganda meluas” ISKP telah mengalihkan perhatiannya ke Moscow.

Rusia adalah musuh utama Daesh kerana penglibatan global nya dalam menentang Daesh dan sekutunya, terutama melalui operasi ketenteraannya di Syria. Di samping itu, percubaan Rusia untuk membina hubungan baik dengan Taliban Afghanistan juga menjadi pemangkin kepada serangan yang dilakukan oleh Daesh kerana Taliban Afghanistan jelas sekali merupakan musuh utama kepada ISKP.

Awal Mac 24, kedutaan AS di Rusia turut memberi amaran kepada rakyat AS untuk mengelakkan perhimpunan besar kerana terdapat sumber risikan bahawa ISIS-K bertekad untuk menyerang di Rusia dengan menyasarkan perhimpunan besar di Moscow. Dijangkakan Rusia akan memperketatkan kawalan keselamatan bagi mengelakkan serangan keganasan berlaku Insiden ini dijangka akan turut menjejaskan lagi konflik antara Rusia-Ukraine kerana Presiden Rusia telah mendakwa pengganas tersebut cuba bersembunyi dan menuju ke Ukraine walaupun dinafikan oleh Ukraine sebagai satu tuduhan yang tidak berasas.

SUSPEK-SUSPEK DALAM SERANGAN MOSCOW

Suspek-suspek dalam serangan keganasan di Moscow

Keempat – empat suspek kes serangan Dewan Bandaraya Crocus telah ditahan reman ke dalam tahanan pra – perbicaraan sehingga 22 Mei 24. Kesemua mereka di dakwa melakukan serangan keganasan menurut Mahkamah Bidang Kuasa Am Bandar Moscow. Jika sabit kesalahan di bawah Kanun Jenayah Rusia, kesemua mereka yang terlibat bakal menerima hukuman penjara seumur hidup.

Suspek – suspek yang berasal dari Tajikistan ini yang dikenali sebagai Dalerdzhon Mirzoyev (32), Saidakrami Rachabalizoda (30), Shamsidin Fariduni (26) dan Muhammadsobir Faizov (20).

 

KESAN

Kesiapsiagaan: Jika benar Daesh bertanggungjawab ke atas serangan di Moscow yang telah mengorbankan hampir 130 orang nyawa, ia menampakkan signifikan bahawa kumpulan pengganas ini sedang giat untuk merancana sesuatu tindakan seperti “kemunculan semula”. Bukan itu sahaja, kejadian yang berlaku di Rusia ini pasti memberikan kesan yang amat besar bagi negara – negara di luar sana agar lebih berhati – hati dalam menangani isu yang berkaitan dengan pengganas. Apa yang berlaku di Rusia pasti akan membuka mata pihak kerajaannya agar sentiasa berwaspada dengan apa jua ancaman yang bakal mendatang. Presiden Rusia, Vladimir Putin selaku orang yang mempunyai kuasa mentadbir Rusia harus melihat insiden yang berlaku ini sebagai ancaman terus terhadap kepimpinannya. Rusia tidak boleh terlalu fokus dengan konfliknya bersama Ukraine kerana tindakan tersebut sedikit sebanyak bakal memberi kesan negatif dan membuka ruang bagi kumpulan pengganas memperluaskan ideologi dan naratif disamping melancarkan serangan keganasan terhadap negara berkaitan.

Ideologi: ISKP secara konsisten telah menunjukkan cita – citanya untuk berkembang menjadi sebuah entiti pengganas serantau yang berkuasa. Hal ini dilihat apabila mereka boleh mengarahkan serangan dan melakukan pencerebohan terhadap negara seperti Rusia. Serangan keganasan daripada ISKP terhadap Rusia baru – baru ini bukanlah serangan kali pertama yang dilakukan oleh ISKP. Pada tahun 2022, kumpulan ini telah bertindak menyerang kedutaan Rusia yang berada di Kabul. Intihannya, segala serangan keganasan yang terpaksa dihadapi oleh Rusia ini telah membuktikan bahawa kumpulan pengganas menanam sifat kebencian dalam diri mereka terhadap Rusia. Tambahan pula, faktor utama yang paling menarik bagi ISKP untuk melancarkan serangan keganasan terhadap Rusia adalah Taliban. Umum mengetahui bahawa Taliban merupakan saingan sengit bagi Daesh, dan Daesh memandang serius bahawa Rusia mempunyai hubungan yang baik bersama Taliban.

PENUTUP

Insiden serangan pengganas yang berlaku di Moscow jelas membuktikan bahawa ideologi dan naratif kumpulan – kumpulan pengganas ini masih relevan dan diterima oleh segelintir masyarakat di luar sana. Perkara ini bukanlah satu perkara yang boleh diambil mudah dan diinginkan oleh mana – mana negara di dalam dunia. Pengawasan secara sistematik dan menyeluruh harus digunapakai oleh semua khusus bagi pihak berkuasa dalam memerangi pengaruh kumpulan pengganas yang semakin berleluasa.

Di samping itu, kerjasama dalam membenteras pengaruh kumpulan pengganas daripada tersebar memainkan peranan penting dalam usaha untuk menangani elemen terorisme ini. Perkara ini dilihat sebagai satu medium yang tepat yang boleh digunapakai oleh semua pihak. Sebagai contoh, Rusia telah menghubungi rakan sejawatannya di Turki dan Syria dan menjanjikan akan mengadakan kerjasama yang lebih erat dalam memerangi aktiviti keganasan susulan daripada insiden yang berlaku di Moscow.

Hubungan dua hala atau pelbagai hala antara negara-negara juga dilihat perlu diperhalusi secara efektif dalam menangani ancaman keganasan yang mampu menggangu gugat kestabilan dan keharmonian sesebuah negara itu. Kerjasama yang dilaksanakan secara bersama ini dilihat mampu memberi impak besar kepada kumpulan pengganas daripada melaksanakan serangan keganasan. Hal ini juga akan menjadi indikator terbaik dalam membenteras segala aktiviti atau ancaman berunsurkan keganasan yang bakal mendatang.

 

 

INDICATOR BENCHMARK FOR EXTREMISM AND RADICALISM WITH RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION IN MALAYSIA: GUIDES FOR COUNTER TERRORISM PRACTITIONERS

Posted on by

INDICATOR BENCHMARK FOR EXTREMISM AND RADICALISM WITH RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION IN MALAYSIA: GUIDES FOR COUNTER TERRORISM PRACTITIONERS

The study of an indicator benchmark for extremism and radicalism with religious orientation is vital for safeguarding Malaysia’s social harmony, security, and global reputation. By providing a structured framework for early detection, intervention, and prevention, it strengthens the country’s resilience against these threats while upholding its identity as a pluralistic and moderate nation.

Developing indicator benchmarks for extremism and radicalism with religious orientation in Malaysia involves identifying specific, measurable indicators that can signal tendencies toward radical or extremist views and behaviours. These benchmarks should be contextually appropriate, considering Malaysia’s unique socio-religious landscape, its multicultural society, and the government’s existing frameworks.

The study on developing an indicator benchmark for extremism and radicalism with a religious orientation in Malaysia is critical for several reasons. It can be summarised as follows:

a.    Firstly, it will address the security threats. This study will address the emerging radicalization trends. Currently, Malaysia faces threats from groups promoting extremist ideologies, often misinterpreting religious teachings. A benchmark helps identify these trends early. This benchmark can also be utilised for prevention of violence whereas an early detection of radicalization reduces the risk of violent acts, such as terrorism or communal violence.

b.    Secondly, this study is important for protecting national unity. Malaysia is unique with it diverse society which make up a multicultural and multireligious nation. Extremism, particularly when tied to religious orientation, poses a threat to social harmony and interfaith relationships. The most important, this benchmark will safeguarding Moderate Islam in which Malaysia promotes itself as a hub for moderate Islamic thought. Identifying radical tendencies ensures this identity is preserved.

c.    Thirdly, this study is beneficial in informing policy and government intervention programs. This benchmark will provide evidence-based policies in which a benchmark provides empirical data, enabling the government and institutions to design targeted interventions. Furthermore, this benchmark enhanced efficient resource allocation in which it will helps prioritize areas and communities most at risk, ensuring optimal use of resources for counter-radicalization programs.

d. Fourthly, this benchmark should be able to enhance law enforcement and intelligence capabilities by improving detection. The standardized benchmark designed allows law enforcement and intelligence agencies to identify early signs of radicalization in individuals or groups. By aligning detection indicators across agencies, responses become more consistent and effective.

e.  Fifthly, the benchmark on these extremist indicators will promote education and awareness to those relevant stakeholders. This benchmark will enable educational institutions and religious organizations to address misinterpretations of religious teachings that foster extremism. In term of community engagement, these benchmarks help create tailored programs to promote awareness at the grassroots level.

 f.     This study is particularly important in mitigating online radicalization which are the current trends now. As online platforms increasingly facilitate radicalization, these benchmarks provide criteria for identifying extremist narratives online. It will also assist in engaging tech companies to curb the spread of extremist content based on well-defined indicators.

 g.    Lastly, this study is expected to reduce stigmatization and ensuring fairness against target groups in Malaysia. This benchmark minimizes the risk of arbitrary or biased accusations against individuals or groups by providing objective assessment and inclusivity. This is to ensures the framework is not perceived as targeting specific religions or communities unfairly. 

For the purpose of guidelines, here are some steps and considerations to create effective indicators for counter terrorism practitioners in Malaysia:

STEP 1: DEFINE EXTREMISM AND RADICALISM IN THE MALAYSIAN CONTEXT

Firstly, clarification on what constitutes “extremism” and “radicalism” from both a religious and legal standpoint in Malaysia must be establish. This involves examining government definitions, societal norms, and local religious leaders’ views. The Malaysian National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (NAP-PCVE) launched on 30th Sep 2024 by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, for instance, can provide a foundation for these definitions.

STEP 2: IDENTIFY KEY DOMAINS FOR INDICATORS

There are few key domains that need to be identify as follows:

a. Ideological Indicators: Beliefs, statements, or behaviours that reflect extremist interpretations of religious texts or doctrines.

b. Behavioural Indicators: Actions that suggest a shift from belief to potential action, such as attending meetings with radical groups or significant changes in lifestyle linked to extremism.

c. Social and Community Indicators: Changes in social interactions, withdrawal from mainstream religious communities, or affiliation with known extremist groups.

d. Communication and Media Consumption: Online activity, including social media and consumption of extremist content or websites.

STEP 3: DEVELOP QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE INDICATORS

There are two ways in developing this methodology as follows:

a. Qualitative Indicators may include sentiment analysis of speech or writings that indicate increasing alignment with extremist ideologies. This could involve monitoring statements made by individuals or religious groups regarding topics such as governance, secularism, and religious minorities.

b. Quantitative Indicators could include the number of followers or members associated with specific religious groups identified as extremist, frequency of online engagement with extremist content, or reported incidents of hate speech or violence inspired by religious ideologies.

STEP 4: SAMPLE INDICATORS FOR EXTREMISM AND RADICALISM IN RELIGIOUS CONTEXT

Based on the current trends in extremism, there are various sample indicators that can be utilise as a parameter for measurement such as:

a. Belief in Violent Jihad: Expressed belief that violent means are justified for defending or spreading faith.

b. Rejection of Diversity: Open rejection of Malaysia’s pluralistic society and advocacy for religious homogeneity, especially through divisive rhetoric.

c. Isolation from Mainstream Religious Practices: Choosing not to attend mainstream places of worship or events in favour of closed, unregistered groups.

d. Consumption of and Interaction with Extremist Content: Regular online engagement with extremist religious materials, social media accounts, or websites.

e. Support for Anti-Government or Anti-Social Narratives: Advocacy or promotion of narratives against the state, other religious groups, or specific ethnic communities.

STEP 5: CONSIDER SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL INFLUENCES

As what has been recognised, extremism and radicalism can be influenced by social, economic, and political contexts. Therefore, the parameters should include benchmarks for these external conditions as well, such as:

a. Economic Disparities: High levels of unemployment or poverty in communities/specific states that may feel marginalized or targeted.

b. Political Tensions: Periods of heightened political conflict or polarization especially is the states ruled by oppositions.

c. Cultural or Religious Conflicts: Incidents or issues causing friction between religious or ethnic groups, like perceived threats to religious identity.

 STEP 6: UTILISE EXISTING FRAMEWORKS FOR DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The validity and relevancy of these indicator can be further augmented and validate by utilising existing data from various sources. Leveraging Malaysia’s intelligence and law enforcement mechanisms as well as community policing efforts is one of the approaches. The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM), Malaysian Defence Intelligence Organisation (MDIO), Religious Affairs Department (JAKIM), and civil society organizations can be valuable partners. The use of AI software-driven sentiment analysis tools on social media and other public forums to identify surges in extremist or radical content and understand public sentiment on sensitive issues is one of the advantages in confirming the data collection.

STEP 7: BENCHMARK WITH REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Malaysia can compare its indicators to global benchmarks to identify shared trends and adapt successful interventions from other countries. By comparing religious extremism indicators across countries, it provides valuable insights into the causes, manifestations, and effective responses to extremism, ultimately contributing to global peace and security. By doing so, it will enhance international collaboration in combating extremism. Comparison can be done with what has been used by countries with similar challenges in religious extremism, such as Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as regional organizations like ASEAN. International guidelines from organizations like UNESCO and UNODC also provide standards for identifying and countering violent extremism with attention to religious orientation.

 STEP 8: PERIODIC REVIEW AND ADJUSTMENT OF BENCHMARKS

All indicators should be reviewed periodically and adapted based on current trends and emerging threats. This could include tracking changes in radical messaging methods, such as new platforms for digital extremism.

 

SAMPLE INDICATOR BENCHMARK STRUCTURE

These benchmarks will allow Malaysian authorities and CT practitioners to track trends, analyse causes, and implement measures to counter extremism effectively within a religiously oriented context.

Here are examples of indicators that may help identify ideological, behavioural, social, and media-based trends associated with extremism or radicalization: 

IDEOLOGICAL INDICATORS

a. Extremist Interpretations of Religious Texts: This indicator can be detected from open promotion of literal or selective interpretations of religious texts that justify violence against perceived enemies or “non-believers.”

b. Justification of Violence in Religious Context: This indicator can be observed from the statements that glorify or endorse acts of violence against those who are perceived to oppose or disrespect the religion.

c. Rejection of Secular Governance: This indicator can be observed from public or private assertions that secular governance is inherently corrupt or evil, often coupled with calls to establish a religious state governed solely by religious law.

d. Exclusive Claims to Religious Truth: It can be seen from the statements and belief that only their interpretation of religion is correct, and all other interpretations, groups, or denominations are invalid or enemies.

e. Denunciation of Pluralistic or Diverse Societies: This indicator can be detected from statements that reject coexistence with other religions, cultures, or ethnicities, often accompanied by disparaging remarks or accusations.

BEHAVIOURAL INDICATORS

a.  Attendance at Radical Gatherings or Secretive Meetings: This indicator can be detected from activities of joining or attending gatherings led by individuals known for their radical or extremist views, often organised in private or secretive locations.

b. Adopting Distinctive Dress or Symbols: This indicator can be noticed from abrupt changes in appearance, such as wearing specific religious attire or symbols associated with extremist groups, may indicate increasing alignment with radical ideologies.

c. Withdrawal from Previously Accepted Social Activities: This indicator can be observed from a sudden and noticeable withdrawal from work, school, or community activities, especially if motivated by perceived conflicts with new beliefs.

d. Financial Transactions Linked to Extremist Groups: This indicator can be detected from evidence of sending money to organizations or individuals known to support extremist causes, which could indicate material support for extremist activities.

e. Increasingly Hostile or Aggressive Behaviour: This indicator can be observed from increased anger, frustration, or hostility toward individuals or groups perceived as religious or ideological “others.”

SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY INDICATORS

a. Isolation from Mainstream Religious Communities: This indicator can be observed from individuals which choosing to stop attending community events, mosques, or gatherings in favour of isolated worship with a small, insular group.

b. Joining New Religious Groups Known for Extremism: This indicator can be detected from individuals who is changing affiliations to religious groups with known radical leanings or associations with extremist rhetoric or activities.

c. Changes in Friend Circles: This indicator can be observed from individuals who is abandoning previous friendships or connections to form new, close relationships with individuals or groups with radical views.

d. Encouraging Family or Friends to Follow Extremist Beliefs: This indicator can be observed from activities of persuading or pressuring others to adopt the same radical beliefs, often in an effort to isolate family members from moderate views.

e. Increased Suspicion or Distrust of Law Enforcement or Government: This indicator can be seen from shifting to view authorities as illegitimate or hostile due to beliefs that the government opposes religious values. 

COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA CONSUMPTION

a. Regular Consumption of Extremist or Radical Content: This indicator can be detected from individuals who is frequently visiting extremist websites, watching videos, or reading publications known for radical or violent rhetoric, which may include material from global extremist organizations.

b. Posting or Sharing Extremist Content on Social Media: This indicator can be detected from individuals who is publicly sharing videos, articles, or messages that align with extremist narratives, or using language that glorifies extremism or radical leaders.

c. Engaging in Online Discussions with Extremist Groups: This indicator can be detected from individuals who is participating in forums, chat rooms, or social media groups known for promoting extremist ideologies, possibly under anonymous profiles or pseudonyms.

d. Using Encrypted Communication Platforms: This indicator can be detected from individuals who is shifting to encrypted messaging apps or anonymous networks like Telegram, often as a means to communicate with like-minded individuals privately.

e. Public Denouncement or Condemnation of Government Policies: This indicator can be detected from individuals who is frequently posting content online that condemns the government or secular policies in favour of an extremist worldview, potentially reaching a wider audience with radical messages.

CASE STUDIES FOR REFERENCES

Malaysia has observed several cases and examples that highlight these indicators of extremism, particularly among individuals and small groups who have moved toward radicalisation. Here are a few relevant cases that can illustrate each of the indicators mentioned:

Belief in Violent Jihad

Case Study: In recent years, Malaysia has apprehended individuals who attempted to travel to conflict zones, such as Syria, with the intent of joining extremist groups like Daesh @ ISIS. Some of these individuals were influenced by the belief that violent jihad was necessary for the defense or expansion of Islam. For example, in 2019, a 22-year-old Malaysian was detained after attempting to join Daesh @ ISIS in Syria. He expressed that his purpose was to engage in “jihad” to defend the Islamic faith, illustrating an acceptance of violence as a religious duty.

Rejection of Diversity

Case Study: In the 2018 arrest of several radicalized individuals in Terengganu, some detainees openly rejected Malaysia’s multicultural society, stating their disdain for non-Muslim communities. They were part of a local extremist network that promoted divisive ideologies, attempting to recruit others through talks that denounced interfaith harmony and advocated for a singular religious identity for Malaysia. This case highlights an underlying intent to disrupt Malaysia’s pluralistic society by propagating ideologies of religious homogeneity and intolerance.

Isolation from Mainstream Religious Practices

Case Study: A 2017and 2024 investigation into unregistered religious study groups in Malaysia revealed that some of these groups actively isolated their members from mainstream mosques and teachings. These groups would gather in private homes, sometimes led by individuals with radical views who rejected the practices endorsed by the official religious authorities. For example, a splinter group in Kedah and Selangor discouraged its members from attending local mosques, instead conducting closed, unregistered gatherings where they propagated radical interpretations of Islam and questioned established religious practices.

Consumption of and Interaction with Extremist Content

Case Study: In a notable case from 2020, Malaysian authorities detained individuals who were highly active in online extremist communities. These individuals were found regularly consuming and sharing content from international terrorist organizations. They accessed encrypted communication platforms to engage with online content promoting extremist ideologies, including materials from Daesh @ ISIS-linked sources. They also followed social media accounts of known extremists, which served as both inspiration and a source of encouragement to participate in violent actions.

Support for Anti-Government or Anti-Social Narratives

Case Study: In recent years, a group in various states in Malaysia was found promoting anti-government sentiments, describing the Malaysian government as “un-Islamic” and accusing it of being a puppet of foreign powers. Members were encouraged to withdraw from civic responsibilities, avoid government institutions, and resist cooperating with the authorities. This narrative often included rhetoric against non-Muslim communities, positioning them as enemies of Islam. This rhetoric became part of an informal recruitment strategy, creating a divide between members of the group and the larger Malaysian society.

SUMMARY

Developing the indicator benchmarks for extremism and radicalism with a religious orientation is particularly important for Malaysia due to its unique sociopolitical and cultural context. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious nation where Islam is the official religion, but other religions are constitutionally protected. Ensuring benchmarks for extremism help maintain harmony by identifying and mitigating factors that could disrupt social cohesion.

Benchmarks allow for early detection of radical or extremist tendencies, which could lead to increased polarization between communities. Preventive measures can safeguard against tensions arising from misuse or politicisation of religion. Malaysia’s demographic and political structure necessitate policies that are specific to its local context. This benchmarks also helps counter terrorism practitioners, intelligence agencies and policymakers create evidence-based strategies to combat extremism without alienating any community. By following this benchmark, Malaysia can strengthen its societal resilience, prevent divisive ideologies, and continue to be a model for religious and cultural harmony in the region.

 

 

Terrorism Watch Fourth Quarter 2024

Posted on by

The fourth quarter of Terrorism Watch 2024 explores the most recent events and developments pertaining to terror-related incidents in Southeast Asia and significant incidents worldwide from October to December 2024.

Countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Turkey continue to experience terrorism as a result of persistent hostilities. Terrorist organizations frequently exploit the Israel-Palestine conflict to incite solitary assaults. Anti-Semitic feelings are persistently exploited by proponents and sympathizers of terrorist organizations to garner support. The collapse of Bashar Assad’s regime in Syria may precipitate a new surge of global terrorism and potentially facilitate the resurrection of Daesh.

The proliferation of extremism, radicalism, and terrorist ideologies via media in Southeast Asia continues to rise, particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Nonetheless, preventive efforts such as arrests, aimed at deterring attacks, along with PCVE actions implemented by authorities in all three nations, are regarded as efficient in managing terrorist activity.

Some groups of deviant teachings that promote hateful and extreme sentiment, designating non-followers as misguided, infidels, or polytheists, pose a threat of violence. This matter is regarded as having the potential to jeopardize national security and may even have implications for the Muslim community’s takfir. Malaysia’s decision to return Farik Amin and Nazir Lep, who are suspected of being involved in the Bali explosion, from Guantanamo Bay is perceived as an attempt to grant them the rights that were denied to them during their detention.

In summary, the global and regional terrorism threat is expected to increase during the fourth quarter of 2024. The threat perception has evolved to encompass the dissemination of narratives in cyberspace, particularly on social media. Countries, particularly those in this region, must implement drastic measures to address the issue.

Global Trend

The fourth quarter of 2024 is marked by significant events in numerous countries worldwide. In addition to the most recent developments in European, Middle Eastern, and African countries, the threat of terrorism has experienced a substantial increase at both the global and regional levels. The threat of terrorism is on the rise, both locally and globally, particularly in the wake of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Terrorist organizations, particularly Daesh, continue to employ social media as an extremely effective method of disseminating their ideology. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) are responsible for conducting routine monitoring of social media content and video applications, including YouTube, that have the potential to jeopardize national security. If necessary, these applications can be blocked from being accessed by Malaysians.

The following are the highlights of recent terrorism-related occurrences around the world:

Afghanistan

On 20 Oct 24, the Afghan Taliban apprehended seven suspected militants from the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) network in the Baharak district of Afghanistan. All of the ISKP terrorist suspects were apprehended on suspicion of collaborating with the Daesh terrorist organization, which is based in Syria and Iraq, with the intention of establishing terrorism in Afghanistan. Additionally, the United Nations (UN) Security Council reported that Daesh has aspirations to establish a caliphate in Afghanistan following its defeat in Syria and Iraq.

On 4 Dec 24, in Kunar province, Afghanistan, a conflict resulted in the deaths of Rahimullah @ Shaheed Umar Bajauri, a senior leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and three other leaders. Shaheed Umar was the military strategist for the TTP and was instrumental in the coordination of attacks on Pakistani forces, notably in border regions. Commander Tariq Bajauri, Commander Adnan Bajauri, and Commander Khaksar were the three terrorists who were also slain.

On 11 Dec 24, at least four individuals, including Khalil Ur-Rahman Haqqani, the Afghan Taliban’s Minister of Refugees, were killed in a suicide explosion at the ministry’s headquarters in Kabul. The ISKP terrorist group was suspected of perpetrating the attack. The assailants initiated the incident by disguising themselves as visitors and feigning physical disability. They then proceeded to target Khalil Ur-Rahman with explosives as he exited his office to pray.

Despite the fact that Afghanistan has not yet established a comprehensive international diplomatic partnership, it is entirely committed to the fight against Daesh, particularly ISKP, which is a threat to Afghan security and adheres to a distinct ideology. Daesh appears to be attempting to reestablish its objectives in Afghanistan following the collapse of the caliphate in Syria and Iraq. This is likely due to the fact that Afghanistan is located in the Khorasan region, which is the location from which the black banners originated. Additionally, the ISKP terrorist organization frequently targets government officials and Afghan security personnel in its attacks on the current Afghan leaders. The Taliban was unquestionably dealt a substantial blow by this suicide attack that targeted the Afghan Minister of Refugees. This is also perceived as creating an opportunity for a division within the Afghan Taliban coalition as a result of a variety of factors related to the country’s security and political concerns. ISKP is also observed attacking terrorist groups that are not affiliated with it, such as the TTP, which is likely a rival on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Additionally, the majority of TTP members are former Daesh members who departed due to their belief that the Daesh struggle was no longer pertinent. In order to restore the confidence of the Afghan people and other nations in the current Taliban administration, the Afghan Taliban must implement preemptive measures against ISKP. With the ongoing operations against the ISKP terrorist group within the country, Afghanistan is anticipated to improve security measures.

Pakistan

On 10 Dec 24, in the Sambaza region of Zhob district, Balochistan, Pakistani forces conducted an operation that resulted in the deaths of one soldier and 15 TTP terrorists. Sepoy Arifur Rehman, a Pakistani trooper, was killed in the ferocious combat. Additionally, a substantial quantity of explosives, ammunition, and weaponry that belonged to the deceased TTP militants were confiscated during the operation.

On 21 Dec 24, a terrorist ambush occurred at the Lita Sar checkpoint in Makeen, South Waziristan district, resulting in the deaths of 16 Pakistani security personnel. The TTP terrorist organization, which also killed eight terrorists, orchestrated the attack on Pakistani security personnel.

The incidence of TTP terrorist attacks is on the rise, particularly in the border regions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which encompass the districts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Pakistani security forces are compelled to conduct numerous security operations in this region, as it is perceived as a secure haven for the TTP terrorist group. The modus operandi of TTP terrorists targeting Pakistani security forces is not novel, and these attacks are more likely to be retaliation attacks as a result of several successful operations by Pakistani security forces against this terrorist group. It is anticipated that the Pakistani government will maintain its preemptive operations against the TTP terrorist group and forge a partnership with the local community to secure their complete backing in the fight against terrorism. This measure is perceived as facilitating the periodic acquisition of information regarding the terrorist group’s activities and strategies. It is anticipated that Pakistan will continue to apply pressure on Afghanistan to prevent the TTP from utilizing Afghan territory to execute planned attacks on Pakistani territory.

Somalia

On 3 Nov 24, the Somali National Army (SNA) conducted a military operation resulting in the deaths of 27 Al-Shabaab militants in the Yaaqle district of the Middle Shabelle region, Somalia. The SNA bombed a site where Al-Shabaab fighters congregated, destroying several cars and terrorist installations. This operation is one of a series of assaults executed by the SNA in the Middle Shabelle, Galgadud, and Mudug districts, culminating in the deaths of 254 Al-Shabaab members during October 2024.

On 16 Dec 24, Somali security forces conducted a military operation that effectively eliminated 30 members of the Al-Shabaab terrorist organization in Middle Shabelle. Among the deceased were the top leaders of the group, including Abu Busri@Zakariye, Hassan Hussein@Abu Hamama, Hassan Nasrallah@Abu Baras, and Abdurahman@Moalin Aden.

Al-Shabaab is an Al-Qaeda-affiliated group that aims to topple the Somali government and establish an autonomous government based on a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Al-Shabaab has carried out a number of terrorist acts in Somalia, targeting the military, the government, and civilians. In reaction to the increased number of terrorist assaults by Al-Shabaab, Somali security forces are launching military operations in crucial regions that house the terrorist group’s logistics and operational functions. This operation is considered as having the potential to exert pressure on the terrorist group. Nonetheless, the terrorist group continues to operate in Somalia, particularly in Central and Southern Somalia, due to geographical characteristics in the African country that benefit Al-Shabaab.

Syria

On 8 Dec 24, Damascus, the Syrian capital, was seized from the regime’s authority, marking the end of the Baath party’s 61-year reign in Syria. In 1963, the Arab Socialist Baath Party seized power in Syria through a rebellion. The regime’s intervention has led to the loss of thousands of lives and the instigation of a civil conflict. The armed faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) entered Damascus, signifying the peak of the conflict’s evolution in Syria, resulting in the downfall of the Bashar Al-Assad regime. Additionally, HTS was able to establish control over a number of regions, including Hama, Idlib, and Aleppo.

The Assad regime’s failure to resolve the conflict through diplomacy, despite international and regional pressure, is considered a contributing factor to its downfall. It is also probable that the removal of Bashar Al-Assad will create an opportunity for millions of refugees who have been dispersed in shelters throughout Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan for over a decade to return to their homeland. The capacity of HTS to reconstruct Syria and oversee a post-Bashar Al-Assad government is uncertain as a result of several critical factors that present obstacles to its administration. HTS will encounter significant obstacles in the formation of a government in Syria following the Bashar Al-Assad regime, including the strictures of its ideology, which adheres to a radical form of Islam. The second challenge is the administrative governance of HTS in regions like Idlib, which has received substantial criticism. Many contend that the HTS administrative system is inherently oppressive. Furthermore, Syria’s history is replete with a multitude of terrorist organizations, including HTS, that have been embroiled in conflict. This could potentially impede their capacity to sustain administration in the long term and impede reconstruction efforts. Despite their success in gaining control over Syrian territories, these challenges raise substantial concerns about HTS’s ability to reconstruct Syria by establishing a stable governance framework. HTS is unlikely to effectively lead the country after Bashar Al-Assad in the absence of robust international support and a comprehensive reconciliation within Syrian society. It is anticipated that this will serve to extend the country’s instability. The potential for the Syrian conflict to revert to the situation that occurred in 2014 during the rise of Daesh in Syria is present.

Turkiye

On 23 Oct 24, a terrorist attack on the headquarters of the state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) near the city of Ankara resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and the injury of 22 others. Two assailants, who are suspected to be members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorist organization, were slain by Turkish security forces subsequent to the attack.

On 29 Oct 24, in Istanbul, 31 individuals were apprehended by Turkish security forces on suspicion of financing activities for the Daesh terrorist group. The Mediterranean Association for the Propagation of Beneficial Sciences and Islam (AHIDDER) was the non-governmental organization (NGO) responsible for conducting the activity. Mustafa Yakupoglu, who was accountable for recruiting supporters and raising funds for terrorist activities, was one of the primary suspects apprehended.

On 3 Dec 24, The successful apprehension of 77 Daesh suspects was the result of the simultaneous operations conducted by Turkish security forces in 32 provinces of Turkey. Following the issuance of 114 arrest warrants by Turkish security forces for their involvement in financing the Daesh terrorist organization, the operations were conducted in numerous significant cities, including Istanbul, Konya, Ankara, and Izmir. The ongoing endeavors are directed toward the apprehending and locating of the remaining 29 sought suspects, while eight others are suspected to be abroad. Furthermore, Turkish authorities confiscated a substantial quantity of digital materials and publications that were associated with Daesh’s propaganda.

TAI is acknowledged for its critical role in supporting Turkey’s extensive operations against the PKK. In the Claw-Lock Operation, Turkey has employed military technology and drones developed by TAI to specifically target PKK strongholds in northern Iraq and Syria. These attacks unequivocally demonstrate that the PKK has designated TAI as a strategic target, with the objective of undermining the Turkish government’s authority and the preparedness of Turkey’s security forces to combat PKK terrorist activities in the region. This assault may be perceived as a provocation or an early warning that the PKK terrorist group’s presence is still substantial and that they continue to pose a threat to the Turkish government’s security. The Turkish security forces will respond quickly to such acts of terrorism by intensifying bombardment across the Turkey-Iraq-Syria border. This action is intended to demonstrate Ankara’s determination and dedication to the eradication of the PKK terrorist group. It is anticipated that Turkish security forces will continue to refine their operations along the Syria-Iraq border to prevent militants, such as the PKK, from receiving support from their strongholds, particularly in northern Iraq. Operation Claw-Lock, which was launched in April 2022, and Operation Euphrates Shield, which was initiated in August 2016, are considered to be effective in their objective of dismantling the PKK terrorist group’s network in Turkey.

The Gurz-24 operation was conducted in 45 cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Eskisehir, and Sanliurfa, to identify the network of terrorist cells in Turkey. Subsequent to the disintegration of Daesh in Syria and Iraq in 2019, some adherents relocated to various nations, including Turkey, to form terrorist networks and sustain Daesh’s significance. In reaction to the increasing threat of terrorism, Turkish authorities have instituted multiple steps to thwart the planning and execution of Daesh attacks. The National Intelligence Organization of Turkey (MIT) has been instrumental in disrupting the attempts of terrorist organizations to recruit, finance, and secure logistical assistance from the public for executing terrorist operations. This recent apprehension demonstrates the efficacy of continuous efforts to identify individuals responsible for funding the Daesh terrorist organization. This operation is set to undermine Daesh’s planning while also issuing a strong warning to its sympathizers that Turkey’s security services are firmly dedicated to protecting national security. Turkish security forces are expected to escalate their initiatives to uncover and dismantle Daesh networks, so effectively restricting their finance operations and eliminating the terrorist group’s strategic goals within Turkey.

Terrorism Trends in Southeast Asia

Indonesia

On 4 Nov 24, Special Detachment 88 Anti-Terrorism Team (Densus 88) apprehended three individuals suspected of terrorism in Demak Regency, Kudus, and Solo City, Central Java, Indonesia. Indonesian security officers conducted searches of the suspects’ dwellings and discovered a substantial amount of evidence, including books, leaflets, flags, and symbols linked to terrorist organizations.

On 24 Nov 24, A suspected terrorist was apprehended by Densus 88 in the Mukomuko district of Bengkulu, Indonesia. The 42-year-old suspect is thought to be linked to the Daesh terrorist organization. Densus 88 conducted a search of the suspect’s residence and successfully seized different items as evidence.

On 29 Dec 24, Densus 88 conducted an operation to investigate the residence of a terrorist suspect in Sukamaju Village, Nyalindung Subdistrict, Sukabumi Regency. This operation succeeded the prior apprehension of six terrorist suspects in three locations of West Java: Majalengka, Garut, and Tasikmalaya, on December 27, 2024. Authorities discovered 32 items of evidence during the search, including a shotgun, three air guns, and numerous literature suspected of containing themes of violence and radicalism.

On 21 Dec 24, the National Counterterrorism Agency of Indonesia (BNPT) and Densus 88 conducted a statement for the disbandment of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) in Solo, Central Java. This gathering was the 45th and concluding forum in a nationwide series of socialization initiatives. Former JI members also pledged allegiance to Indonesia to strengthen the fundamental foundations of the nation, including Pancasila, democracy, and human rights.

Indonesia’s security forces have persistently undertaken pre-emptive measures to mitigate potential terrorist threats. The arrests are regarded as a preemptive strategy to avert attacks, particularly during critical times like the Christmas and New Year festivities. The arrests underscore that the disbandment of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) has not eradicated the threat of terrorism, and indeed, it increases apprehensions regarding the potential creation of new terrorist factions that may present considerable security challenges in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia. The implementation of anti-terrorism legislation and regulations in Indonesia has significantly weakened the terrorist organizations active within the nation. Nonetheless, attempts to rejuvenate these factions through the dissemination of information and ideology, including those linked to Daesh, persist through local terrorist networks. The new arrests are anticipated to yield vital clues for Densus 88 in identifying further terrorist suspects and preventing any intended attacks by these individuals. Furthermore, Indonesia’s security forces are expected to adopt further preventive strategies to avoid the emergence of new terrorist organizations following the disbandment of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).

The Philippines

On 21 Oct 24, Philippine security force apprehended the principal suspect responsible for the lethal bombing at a religious function on December 3, 2023, in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur Province. The individual, recognized as Arsani D. Membisa, alias Lopitos, is affiliated with the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) terrorist organization. He was arrested at Barangay Maria Cristina, Iligan City. Lopitos is regarded as one of the most sought-after individuals due to his participation in terrorist actions, especially in the southern Philippines.

On 23 Oct 24, five members of the Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) terrorist organization were eliminated during an operation conducted by Philippine security forces in Bangco village, Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte. Authorities confiscated four M16 rifles, three M1 rifles, two handguns, and grenades during the raid on the suspects’ residence. The operation, intended to apprehend DI leader Uya Duma@Lagbas, also led to the detention of two other terrorist suspects, including the homeowner, named as Bucari.

On 17 Dec 24, 15 Members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) voluntarily capitulated to Philippine security forces in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte. In conjunction with their capitulation, the insurgents surrendered many rifles and improvised munitions to the authorities. The ceremony featured support for the surrendered individuals, provided by members from the Ministry of Social Services and Development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The aggressive measures implemented by Philippine security forces communicate a definitive message regarding the government’s dedication to countering terrorism, especially in the southern areas of the Philippines, via continuous Focused Military Operations (FMO). Concurrently, the increasing trend of surrenders by terrorist organizations, particularly the BIFF, signifies the efficacy of these initiatives. This change is probably driven by the demise of key BIFF leaders, together with the increased efficacy of the FMO techniques implemented by Philippine authorities to dismantle these terrorist organizations. The Philippines is enhancing its Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) initiatives, notably the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP), which serves as a significant metric for the rising number of terrorist organization members surrendering to Philippine security authorities. The Philippines’ provision of financial and logistical support to surrendering individuals is perceived as motivating more BIFF members to abandon the terrorist group and reintegrate into the nation’s administrative framework. Philippine security forces are anticipated to continue their operations, exerting pressure on terrorist groups to capitulate, with the ultimate objective of dismantling these organizations, particularly in the southern Philippines.

Singapore

On 18 Oct 24, Singaporean security force successfully detained a 17-year-old individual suspected of attempting to execute a terrorist attack in Singapore. The suspect planned to employ a bladed weapon to execute a terrorist attack targeting non-Muslims in the Tampines region. Initial inquiries indicated that the suspect was an adherent of the Daesh terrorist organization and had intended to journey to Syria for jihad. He had also reached out to various international pals online for guidance over his planned journey.

This arrest highlights the persistent issue of internet radicalization, which remains a crucial method for recruiting new members, despite the diminishing impact of Daesh, especially in Southeast Asia. The suspect had been brainwashed with the doctrine of armed conflict in Syria, intending to join the jihad to build an Islamic state. The proliferation of extremist ideology and narratives online necessitates immediate attention and rigorous monitoring, as radicalization is perceived to occur more readily among young people due to their cognitive development stage. Singapore’s security forces are anticipated to enhance their security protocols and maintain vigilance in countering the rising threat of terrorism, particularly the tendency of lone wolf attacks.

Malaysia

Currently, the terrorist menace at the national level is being effectively managed. Approximately 620 individuals who are linked to Daesh terrorist and militant networks have been apprehended by the nation from 2013 to the present. This figure comprises 389 domestic residents and 231 non-nationals.

On 28 Nov 24, The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) and the Malacca Islamic Religious Department (JAIM) conducted a joint operation that resulted in the arrest of eight individuals who are suspected of adhering to the Millah Abraham (MA) deviant teachings. Additionally, authorities conducted investigations of the suspects’ residences and confiscated numerous items, including books that were associated with the Millah Abraham teachings.

On 18 Dec 24, the two Malaysian nationals who had been detained at Guantanamo Bay for the previous 18 years have been safely returned to Malaysia. Mohamad Farik Amin (48) and Mohammed Nazir Lep (47) were apprehended for their involvement in the catastrophic 2002 Bali bombing incident in Indonesia. In January 2024, the suspects at Guantanamo Bay struck a plea agreement with prosecutors regarding the accusation of aiding the bombing incident and received a five-year prison sentence as part of the agreement.

Millah Abraham’s ideology integrates Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, interpreting the Qur’an’s message according to their comprehension rather than relying on tafsir books. Millah Abraham has been declared a heretical teaching in Malaysia due to its divergence from and contradiction of Islamic teachings. The authorities’ operation exposed the online dissemination of the MA teachings through a variety of social media platforms. This MA teaching also employs social media to recruit new members, including family members and acquaintances of the detained suspects. In order to prevent the propagation of such deviant ideologies within society and to prevent any potential undesirable incidents, preventive measures must be enhanced. In order to prevent the widespread dissemination of these deviant ideologies, particularly among the youth in the country, it is imperative that state religious authorities and various government agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), collaborate and coordinate their efforts. The existing laws in Malaysia should be strictly enforced in order to take firm action against adherents of Millah Abraham or any other deviant teachings.

In addition to lifelong supervision by the authorities, Farik Amin and Nazir Lep will participate in a deradicalization program administered by the Malaysian Government. Furthermore, the government has implemented a comprehensive reintegration strategy for both individuals and groups, which includes moral support, health, and welfare. Their repatriation from Guantanamo Bay is also a component of a more comprehensive initiative to decrease the number of detainees there, which is consistent with the United States’ goal of closing the detention facility. It is anticipated that these two individuals will undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation process prior to being reintegrated with their families. Simultaneously, local authorities will continue to uphold their obligation to prevent the emergence of any new terrorist threats in the country and to restrict the widespread dissemination of terrorist ideologies.

Conclusion

Particularly with unrest in many of West Asia, the threat of global terrorism keeps showing rise. Terrorist organizations still control the war of Israeli strikes on Palestine to support lone wolf attacks under their “Kill Them Wherever You Find Them.” Supporters and sympathizers of terrorist organizations are observed to be playing out anti-Semitic attitudes in order to win acceptance. The fall of Assad’s government in Syria marks a fresh chapter in the threat of world terrorism, which is probably going to affect the emergence of the Daesh terrorist organization. Aiming to resurrect the caliphate following the defeat of Daesh in Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) is aggressively seeking to undermine security of Afghanistan. While ISKP has also attacked terrorist organizations that are not in line with the Taliban leadership, such the TTP, which might become a rival along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, there have been ongoing assaults on the leaders of the Taliban. The attack of important sites like TAI by the PKK on Turkey emphasizes, however, the ongoing presence and capacity of the group to pose a serious hazard to national security of Turkey. The strategic goal of the PKK terrorists is TAI, which is to undermine Turkish government control and Turkey’s security forces’ readiness to stop terrorist activity in the area.

Subsequently, the dissemination of extremism, radicalism, and terrorism ideology through media in Southeast Asia is continuing to exhibit an upward trajectory, with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore being particularly affected. However, proactive measures, such as the implementation of PCVE (Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism) programs by the authorities in these nations and aggressive arrests as part of preventive strategies, have been effective in reducing violent activities. The Philippines has effectively implemented soft approach measures through PCVE programs, such as E-CLIP, to encourage terrorist members to surrender. In the interim, Indonesian authorities have arranged 45 programs that emphasize socialization and surrender in conjunction with senior leaders of the JI terrorist group since its dissolution on June 30, 2024. These initiatives have effectively motivated thousands of JI members to surrender their weapons. Nevertheless, the profoundly ingrained terrorist ideology within JI continues to be difficult to eradicate, which raises the possibility that certain individuals who disagree may resort to violent acts, either independently or by cooperating with other terrorist organizations. Daesh remains reliant on social media platforms, chat groups, and online gaming in Singapore to establish connections with sympathizers. In 2024, numerous arrests were made in Singapore involving adolescents who were attempting to carry out terrorist attacks.

The decision by Malaysia to repatriate Farik Amin and Nazir Lep, who are suspected of being responsible for the Bali bombing, is perceived as an effort to protect their rights, which were disregarded during their time in Guantanamo Bay. It is anticipated that the implementation of a comprehensive reintegration program, which encompasses welfare, healthcare, and moral support, will result in favorable outcomes for both the government and the individuals involved. Nevertheless, recidivism continues to pose a substantial threat in Malaysia, illustrating the difficulty of eliminating the radical ideology of terrorism. Although statistics from the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) indicate that less than 5% of radical detainees revert to extremist beliefs, these individuals retain the capacity to influence their families and close associates, thereby escalating the likelihood of attacks in Malaysia. The threat of terrorism is also evident in numerous deviant religious groups that propagate sentiments of extremism and animosity, referring to individuals who do not share the same beliefs as deviants, infidels, and taghut. This presents a significant threat to national security, as it contributes to the takfiri phenomenon and extreme intolerance occurring within the Muslim community.

In conclusion, the current situation in Syria is mitigated by the sentiments that persist regarding Israel’s assaults on Palestine and Lebanon, which continue to raise concerns about the threat of terrorism at the global and regional levels. These developments are instrumental in the recruitment of sympathizers, who may subsequently become self-radicalized and commit lone wolf attacks. Daesh’s media initiatives continue to be combative, as they employ new social messaging platforms like Signal, Simple X, and Element to disseminate propaganda through mass media. Additionally, the emergence of new online publications such as El Wafa serves to amplify extremist narratives. The involvement of sympathizers is perceived as being closely associated with the confusion surrounding the concept of struggle that terrorist groups manipulate and the venomous sentiments that are expressed on social media. The complexities of emerging security challenges and the diverse techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTP) adopted by various terrorist groups depending on the circumstance necessitate a proactive and determined response from authorities in response to the evolution of the global terrorism landscape.  It is crucial to improve the collaboration and coordinated efforts of the authorities of various government agencies in Malaysia, such as the RMP, JAKIM, ROS, and MCMC, in order to prevent the dissemination of violent and extremist ideologies, particularly among the youth. Despite the fact that the risk of terrorist acts is classified as “possible” and the threat of terrorism in Malaysia is currently moderate, the threat from terrorist groups continues to attract sympathizers. Consequently, all relevant stakeholders must not disregard this issue.

 

ARTIKEL KONFLIK ISRAEL-PALESTIN: ADAKAH SATU TINDAKAN MODERN GENOCIDE?

Posted on by

ARTIKEL

KONFLIK ISRAEL-PALESTIN: ADAKAH SATU TINDAKAN MODERN GENOCIDE?

PENDAHULUAN

 

Pembersihan etnik atau lebih popular digunakan sebagai ethnic cleansing adalah satu tindakan yang diklasifikasikan sebagai jenayah perang oleh badan perundangan antarabangsa. Tindakan ini menggambarkan perlakuan kejam terhadap suatu kumpulan atau masyarakat yang selalunya dikaitkan dengan perbezaan agama dan bangsa. Antara tindakan melibatkan pembersihan etnik adalah seperti pengusiran atau pemindahan paksa sesuatu kumpulan atau etnik tertentu. Di samping itu, tindakan ini juga melibatkan pemusnahan fizikal di sesuatu tempat sebagai contoh, tempat ibadat, tanah perkuburan dan kawasan perumahan Bagi pembunuhan beramai-ramai pula, dikaitkan dengan pemusnahan sesuatu kumpulan etnik, kaum atau agama. Selain itu, tindakan ini juga termasuk dengan pengusiran sesuatu kumpulan daripada tempat mereka dengan menggunakan elemen kekerasan. Walaupun pembersihan etnik dilihat berbeza dengan pembunuhan beramai-ramai, namun kedua-dua tindakan ini mempunyai matlamat yang sama dalam penghapusan dan pengusiran sesuatu kumpulan yang juga melibatkan pengorbanan nyawa sesuatu kumpulan.

 

Antara kontroversi yang dapat dikaitkan dengan pembersihan etnik adalah POLPOT Rejim yang berlaku di negara Kemboja ketika pemerintahan Pol Pot dari tahun 1975 hingga 1979 yang telah mengorbankan 1.5 hingga 3 juta orang, termasuk minoriti Vietnam dan Muslim Cham, akibat kelaparan, kekurangan zat makanan, penyakit, dan kerja berlebihan. Dianggarkan 500,000 orang Cham telah mati. Penganut agama Kristian dan Buddha juga menjadi mangsa penindasan. Pemimpin Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, bekerjasama dengan Putera Norodom Sihanouk untuk menentang Jeneral Lon Nol, yang melancarkan coup d’état pada Mac 1970, yang membawa kepada perang saudara. Dalam hal ini, Amerika Syarikat telah dilihat memberi sokongan kepada Jeneral Lon Nol. Setelah menawan Phnom Penh pada 17 April 1975, Khmer Rouge memenangi perang saudara. Selepas tentera Vietnam menawan ibu negara pada 7 Januari 1979, kerajaan Khmer Rouge digulingkan. Walau bagaimanapun, sehingga United Nations Transitional Authority Cambodia (UNTAC) ditubuhkan di Kemboja pada 28 Februari 1992, keadaan masih tidak stabil. Misi PBB berakhir pada September 1993 selepas kejayaan pemulihan demokrasi dan sistem monarki di Kemboja. Pol Pot telah menjalani hukuman house arrest pada 1997 sehingga dia meninggal dunia pada 15 April 1998. 

 

Seterusnya, kontroversi pembunuhan beramai-ramai yang dapat dilihat ialah peperangan dan krisis yang melanda Syria pada Ogos 2013. Krisis di negara tersebut telah menyebabkan warganegara diserang dengan senjata kimia dan mengorbankan ratusan ribu orang, manakala lebih sejuta hilang tempat tinggal atau menjadi pelarian. Selain manusia, serangan itu juga telah membunuh sebahagian besar haiwan termasuk biri-biri, anjing dan kucing. Rejim Bashar Al-Assad merupakan dalang disebalik lebih 330 serangan senjata kimia yang menyasarkan penduduk di negara itu. Penggunaan senjata kimia tersebut turut menjadi kritikan dan kutukan dunia.

KONFLIK ISRAEL-PALESTIN

Palestin merupakan wilayah yang didiami oleh masyarakat Arab yang terdiri daripada pelbagai latar belakang agama seperti, Yahudi, Kristian dan Islam. Pada 14 Mei 1948, Perdana Menteri pertama Israel, Ben Gurion mengadakan upacara di Tel Aviv Museum bagi merasmikan hari kemerdekaan pertama negara itu. Keganasan Israel ke atas Palestin terus meningkat sejak hari tersebut. Pada tahun 2006, pihak Palestin telah berpecah kepada  dua kumpulan atau parti yang membawa ideologi dan pegangan berbeza dari sudut sosio-politik iaitu Fatah dan Hamas. Fatah merupakan parti yang terbesar manakala Hamas adalah sebuah kumpulan perjuangan Islam. Konflik antara mereka menjadikan wilayah yang dikuasai oleh Palestinian National Authority (kerajaan interim Palestin) dibahagi kepada dua iaitu Fatah di Tebing Barat, manakala Hamas di Genting Gaza. Hal ini kerana Hamas dianggap sebagai pertubuhan pengganas oleh Israel dan banyak negara lain yang mengakibatkan Hamas tidak dibenarkan untuk menyertai sebarang perundingan rasmi walaupun menang dalam Pilihan Raya Palestin 2006.

Konfllik antara Israel-Palestin merupakan pertikaian yang masih berlangsung antara Yahudi Israel dan rakyat Palestin. Konflik ini berhubung kait dengan tuntutan kawasan tanah yang sama. Konflik Israel-Palestin kembali tegang pada 7 Oktober 2023 lalu apabila Hamas mula membuat serangan. Hamas mengejutkan dunia dengan melakukan Operasi Taufan Al-Aqsa terhadap rejim haram Israel, bermula dengan membuat serangan roket bertubi-tubi dan penyusupan melalui darat, laut dan udara di negara haram itu. Serangan yang dilakukan oleh Hamas, adalah satu serangan balas berikutan peningkatan keganasan yang dilakukan oleh penceroboh Israel di Masjid Al-Aqsa, Baitulmaqdis timur. Oleh yang demikian, Israel bertindak untuk membalas kembali serangan Hamas terhadapnya dengan melancarkan operasi terhadap sasaran Hamas di Semenanjung Gaza.           

FAKTOR KONFLIK TERKINI ISRAEL-PALESTIN

Selepas negara-negara Arab kalah dalam peperangan lima hari pada Jun 1967, Israel bertindak melakukan banyak perkara termasuk memusnahkan Masjid Al-Aqsa. Salah satu kerosakan yang berlaku adalah dinding Al-Magharibah di sebelah barat masjid dirobohkan dan diubah menjadi tempat ibadat orang Yahudi.

Baitulmaqdis sejak dahulu menjadi rebutan kerana ianya merupakan kota suci bagi tiga agama iaitu agama Islam, Kristian dan Yahudi. Bagi agama Islam, Baitulmaqdis adalah kota yang istimewa kerana ianya merupakan kiblat pertama dan terletaknya Masjid Al-Aqsa yang merupakan simbol perjuangan, pengorbanan, dan identiti orang Islam. Bagi pegangan agama Yahudi pula, kota ini penting kerana terbinanya dua kuil kuno Yahudi. Pada awal tahun 2000, telah berlaku perubahan selepas pemberontakan Palestin menentang Israel yang dikenali sebagai Intifada kedua. Israel bukan sahaja mengawal kawasan sekitar perkarangan Masjid Al-Aqsa, malah bertindak mengambil alih akses keselamatan dan membenarkan orang Yahudi mengakses tapak tersebut sesuka hati.

Sebelum ini Israel telah membuat serangan pada 8 Mei 2021 di Baitulmaqdis yang mencatatkan insiden terburuk di bandar itu sejak 2017. Ketegangan semakin memuncak apabila pihak polis Israel bertindak bertempur dengan penduduk Palestin, berikutan rakyat negara itu memprotes larangan Israel terhadap akses tanpa had ke beberapa bahagian di Kota Lama (Old City). Serangan yang dibuat oleh Israel pada penghujung Ramadan tahun itu membuktikan Israel sengaja mencetuskan kekacauan di Baitulmaqdis. Pihak Polis Israel membuat serbuan di Masjid Al-Aqsa dan menembak jemaah menggunakan peluru getah dalam kejadian itu yang mencederakan sekurang-kurangnya 200 rakyat Palestin. Selain itu, polis Israel juga telah menyerang penunjuk perasaan menggunakan gas pemedih mata, peluru getah dan bom tangan serta menahan puluhan rakyat Palestin yang tidak bersalah. Pada masa yang sama juga, Israel telah menceroboh masuk ke kawasan penduduk Palestin dan bertindak memusnahkan kediaman mereka.

KRONOLOGI INSIDEN SERANGAN TERBARU PENCETUS KEPADA MODERN GENOCIDE

Tindakan serangan Israel ke atas Palestin semakin melampau apabila negara itu mula membuat serangan ke atas penduduk Palestin dan menyasarkan serangan kepada pusat perlindungan termasuk kenderaan ambulans serta hospital. Pada 9 Oktober 2023, dunia digemparkan dengan penggunaan bom yang diharamkan kepada orang awam Palestin. Israel terkenal dengan penggunaan bom yang terlarang dan mula menggunakan white phosphosrus bomb yang diharamkan oleh badan antarabangsa dalam tindakan di Khan Younis, Genting Gaza yang menyasarkan kawasan perumahan serta penduduk di wilayah berkenaan.

Pada 12 Oktober 2023, Israel Defence Force (IDF) telah menggesa rakyat Palestin di Gaza untuk meninggalkan Utara Gaza dan melarikan diri ke Selatan Gaza bagi memberi ruang kepada mereka membuat serangan ke atas Hamas. IDF mengebom kenderaan yang membawa orang awam ketika rakyat Palestin melarikan diri mengikut arahan pemindahan yang dikeluarkan oleh IDF. Ini kerana IDF mendakwa bahawa Hamas menggunakan orang awam sebagai perisai (human shield). Kementerian Kesihatan Palestin melaporkan 70 orang terbunuh dalam serangan maut itu dan kesan tersebut tidak menghentikan Israel dari terus melancarkan serangan bom ke Selatan Gaza.

 

Pada 19 Oktober 2023, IDF telah bertindak mengebom gereja Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius yang berusia lebih 1,600 tahun, selepas memusnahkan Hospital Al-Ahli Baptist yang dikendalikan oleh golongan Kristian di Gaza. Lebih 300 pelarian Palestin menjadikan kawasan gereja tersebut sebagai tempat perlindungan akibat serangan tanpa henti oleh Israel. Ratusan orang awam turut dilaporkan terkorban dan cedera dari serangan tersebut.

Pada 3 November 2023, IDF membuat serangan ke atas konvoi ambulans di Gaza yang mengorbankan 15 orang dan mencederakan sekurang-kurangnya 60 orang awam. Serangan tersebut berlaku berhampiran Hospital Al-Shifa ketika lima ambulans sedang membawa mangsa dari Gaza menuju ke Rafah, sempadan Mesir. Peluru berpandu pertama menyasarkan ambulans yang mengetuai konvoi kurang 1 KM dari hospital terbesar di wilayah tersebut. Serangan kedua peluru berpandu pula dilaporkan menyasarkan kepada ambulans lain yang hanya kira-kira dua meter dari pintu hospital. Insiden serangan tidak berperikamnusiaan tersebut berlaku kerana IDF mendakwa pejuang Hamas berada di dalam kenderaan tersebut.

Seterusnya, pada 11 November 2023, IDF mula menjalankan operasi serangan menjejak tempat penyembunyian Hamas dengan menyasarkan pusat perubatan utama Gaza, Hospital Al Shifa yang menyebabkan kemudahan tidak dapat beroperasi sepenuhnya kerana kehabisan bekalan eletrik dan bahan api. Laporan turut menyatakan bahawa beberapa bayi yang baru dilahirkan terpaksa dikeluarkan dari inkubator selepas bekalan eletrik terputus. Ribuan pegawai perubatan dan pesakit terperangkap tanpa bekalan eletrik. Menurut Kementerian Kesihatan Gaza, kira-kira 16 buah hospital di seluruh Gaza tidak dapat berfungsi kerana mengalami kerosakan akibat serangan dan kekurangan bahan api.

PANDANGAN DAN KRITIKAN

Konflik Israel-Palestin mencipta pelbagai pandangan dan kritikan ke atas kedua-dua negara tersebut. Namun, serangan melampau oleh Israel menerima kecaman daripada pelbagai negara, organisasi, pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan juga individu berpengaruh di seluruh dunia. Antara negara Islam yang lantang memberi kecaman kepada Israel adalah Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq, Lubnan dan negara Islam yang lain. Beberapa negara telah menarik kembali duta ke negara Israel dan memutuskan hubungan diplomatik dengan Israel, antaranya Turki, Afrika Selatan, Republik Chad, Bahrain dan beberapa negara lain.

Terdapat juga kritikan terhadap Palestin terutama negara dari negara barat seperti Amerika Syarikat yang jelas bersekutu dengan Israel. Selain dari itu, United Kingdom, Australia, Perancis, Norway, India, Sepanyol dan beberapa negara lagi turut memberi kecaman ke atas Palestin asbab dari insiden pada 7 Okober lalu sehingga melupakan sejarah penindasan puak Zionis ke atas Palestin berpuluh tahun dahulu. Walau bagaimanapun, terdapat negara, NGO, dan individu yang memberi pandangan agar penyelesaian dua hala seperti gencaran senjata jangka panjang bagi kedua-dua negara tersebut yang sememangnya tidak akan dipersetujui oleh Palestin yang merupakan mangsa penindasan modern genocide.

KESAN

Serangan serta kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh pimpinan tertinggi Zionis jelas menunjukkan wujudnya elemen ethnic cleansing dan pembunuhan beramai-ramai. Akibat serangan tanpa henti oleh Israel telah mencatatkan kematian belasan ribu orang selain kemusnahan tempat tinggal, tempat perlindungan seperti rumah ibadat dan hospital yang bertentangan dgn Geneva Convention berkaitan peperangan. Konflik antara Israel-Palestin telah memberi pelbagai impak terhadap kedua-dua negara tersebut. Serangan tanpa henti dan tanpa belas kasihan oleh Israel membuahkan pelbagai reaksi oleh rakyat seluruh dunia terhadap ‘negara haram’ tersebut. Antara impak positif yang berlaku adalah, dengan tindakan serangan kejam oleh Israel telah membuka sebilangan mata dunia yang selama ini terpengaruh dengan propaganda Israel yang sering menunjukkan Palestin adalah satu negara pengganas. Hal ini dikaitkan apabila Israel bertindak kejam menyerang tempat-tempat awam seperti hospital, sekolah dan perumahan dengan alasan menyatakan tempat tersebut adalah tempat peyembunyian Hamas. Namun, kebanyakan mangsa adalah orang awam yang tidak bersalah termasuk warga emas dan kanak-kanak. Selain dari itu, penggunaan white phosphorus turut memberi kesan yang buruk ke atas mangsa-mangsa di Gaza. Selain kesan buruk kepada mangsa yang mengenanya, ianya jelas merupakan sesuatu tindakan yang menyalahi undang-undang antarabangsa kerana senjata tersebut digunakan di kawasan awam dan dilihat sebagai jenayah perang.

Tindakan tidak berperikemanusiaan Israel menyerang pusat perubatan memberi kesan jangka panjang kepada penduduk Gaza. Berikutan dengan insiden serangan ke atas hospital al-Shifa, orang awam menyaksikan sebuah keluarga ditembak dan cedera kerana cuba melarikan diri. Ribuan mangsa masih terperangkap dan hadapi putus bekalan eletrik, air dan makanan. Tiada sebarang bantuan yang diterima seperti yang dijanjikan IDF, malah sesiapa sahaja yang menghampiri Hospital Al-Shifa akan ditembak mati oleh puak Zinonis. Akhir sekali, antara kesan jangka panjang lain adalah melibatkan penduduk tempatan yang terpaksa melarikan diri ke lokasi selamat bagi melindungi diri daripada pengeboman dan serangan udara dan darat yang tidak mempunyai tanda akan berakhir. Ekonomi tempatan juga turut menerima tempias kerana kekurangan bekalan bahan mentah serta mengharapkan bantuan negara luar yang tiada kepastian.

PENUTUP

Dalam era moden ini, pelbagai maklumat mudah diakses di hujung jari. Segala propaganda palsu yang dimainkan oleh pihak media barat kini banyak yang telah dirungkaikan dengan fakta. Pihak media berperanan penting dalam menyebarkan berita yang sahih dan mengikut fakta. Ini kerana konflik Israel-Palestin menjadi tumpuan seluruh dunia. Setiap individu perlu dipupuk kesedaran mengenai konflik ini kerana peperangan ini bukanlah peperangan agama semata-mata, ianya adalah satu unsur modern genocide yang melibatkan puluhan ribu nyawa insan yang tidak berdosa.

Dalam peperangan antara Israel-Palestin jelas menujukkan tindakan balas dari Israel adalah melampau dan tidak berperikemanusiaan. Hal ini dapat dilihat apabila Israel mengarahkan lebih 1 juta penduduk Utara Gaza berpindah ke Selatan Gaza dan kemudian dengan sengaja menyasarkan serangan ke atas orang awam yang berpusu-pusu meninggalkan kediaman seperti diarahkan puak Zionis tersebut. Tindakan ini adalah pengusiran terhadap penduduk dan juga penghapusan penduduk di Gaza yang menjadi matlamat utama pemimpin Israel-Zionis serta jelas bertentangan dengan prinsip peperangan undang-undang antarabangsa.

Pemimpin-pemimpin dunia terutama negara-negara Islam juga perlu tegas dalam menyuarakan agar serangan ke atas Palestin dihentikan. Serangan tanpa henti terhadap negara Palestin menyebabkan negara itu mengalami kegawatan sosio-ekonomi, politik, sistem pendidikan serta kehilangan puluhan ribu nyawa selain menghadapi krisis makanan, minuman dan juga kesuntukan rawatan perubatan, kehilangan tempat tinggal dan pelbagai krisis yang semakin hari semakin teruk. Genjatan senjata selama 4 hari bermula 23 November 2023 wajar diteruskan agar tidak ada lagi korban mangsa yang tidak bersalah walaupun ianya amat mustahil untuk dilanjutkan. Justeru, modern genocide ini betul-betul berlaku di dalam dunia serba moden dan canggih namun dipandang ringan oleh kuasa besar dunia yang dahagakan sokongan dari negara haram Israel.

ARTIKEL “FANATIK DAN TAASUB BERAGAMA: SATU ANCAMAN KEPADA KESELAMATAN NEGARA”

Posted on by

PENDAHULUAN

Istilah “fanatik atau taasub” bermaksud satu sikap kepercayaan yang terlalu berlebihan terhadap sesuatu ajaran termasuk dalam perihal politik serta kepimpinan hingga melampaui batas. Fanatik juga merujuk kepada seseorang individu yang keterlaluan (melampau) terhadap sesuatu pegangan atau pendirian dan kebiasaannya dalam hal-hal berkaitan dengan praktik atau ajaran keagamaan.

Fanatik mempunyai makna yang sama dengan istilah taasub iaitu sikap terlalu berlebihan kepercayaannya atau keyakinannya terhadap sesuatu ajaran atau aliran (termasuk politik, agama, dan lain-lain) hingga melampaui batas. Fanatik atau taasub akan menyebabkan pemikiran seseorang menjadi sempit, beku, tidak adil dalam membuat penilaian dan tidak mampu mencetuskan idea-idea baharu yang lebih segar. Ketidakfahaman terhadap sikap ekstrem, fanatik dan taasub ini menyebabkan beberapa aspek kehidupan masyarakat dewasa ini menjadi celaru. Golongan ini merasakan apa yang mereka lakukan adalah kononnya satu tuntutan agama.

Sikap begini juga turut menggambarkan seseorang yang tidak berkemampuan membuka ruang perbincangan untuk membandingkan pendapatnya dengan pendapat pihak-pihak lain bagi mengambil pendapat yang lebih kuat dalil dan alasannya. Sikap fanatik dan taasub adalah sikap tertutup terhadap pandangan lain yang berbeza dan berusaha menidakannya. Sikap begini adalah pembawaan yang memandang hanya diri atau kumpulan sendiri sahaja yang betul, manakala pihak lain adalah salah, malah secara berani menuduh pihak yang berlainan pendapat sebagai jahil dan bodoh.

Sikap fanatik dan taasub akan mencapai puncaknya ketika seseorang individu atau kumpulan menggugurkan kehormatan orang lain, menghalalkan jiwa dan harta mereka, menghalalkan darah saudara seagama serta tidak lagi melihat hak orang lain untuk tidak diperlakukan secara adil. Fenomena ini berlaku apabila seseorang individu itu telah dikuasai oleh kekacauan fikiran lalu menuduh kebanyakan orang lain telah keluar dari Islam atau telah menjadi kafir murtad.

Inilah kemuncak kepada sikap ekstrem, fanatik dan taasub. Contoh begini pernah kepada golongan Khawarij sekitar tahun 37H/648M. Golongan ini termasuk dalam orang-orang yang sangat ketat dalam melaksanakan ritual ibadat seperti puasa, solat dan tilawah Al Quran. Golongan ini terjerumus ke dalam kebinasaan bukan disebabkan oleh keburukan hati mereka tetapi disebabkan oleh keburukan fikiran mereka.

Pada dasarnya akar radikalisme dalam pemikiran Islam tumbuh dari dua prinsip dasar iaitu Prinsip keterpilihan dan adanya doktrin kebenaran. Sebagai kesannya, golongan ini mempunyai satu perasaan ‘lebih’ dibanding kelompok atau pihak atau institusi lain (the others) yang tidak sefahaman atau berlawanan dengan ideologi golongan terbabit.

ISU-ISU BERKAITAN FANATIK DAN TAASUB BERAGAMA DI MALAYSIA

Secara umumnya, masyarakat di Malaysia khususnya beragama Islam pada masa kini dilihat telah banyak disogokkan dengan pelbagai pandangan dan aliran yang dapat mencetuskan pelbagai perbalahan dan kontroversi dalam kalangan masyarakat khususnya golongan-golongan agamawan. Perkara ini dilihat menerusi beberapa siri perdebatan atau forum yang telah dijalankan bagi membincangkan pelbagai isu dengan mengetengahkan tokoh atau agamawan yang mempelopori idea atau mewakili aliran mazhab mereka tersendiri.    

Ekoran daripada wujudnya penganjuran dan pelaksanaan forum sedemikian, terbukti menunjukkan bahawa timbulnya pelbagai aliran dan pandangan sehingga membawa kepada keperluan untuk mengadakan perbincangan dalam bentuk forum bagi menjelaskan atau merungkai isu-isu berkaitan dengan masyarakat. Terdapat juga segelintir tokoh atau agamawan yang mencabar pihak yang tidak sealiran untuk berdebat bagi mencari kata putus atau jawapan terhadap isu yang dipertikaikan oleh mereka.

Situasi sedemikian, memperlihatkan bahawa realiti masyarakat di Malaysia hari ini telah berada dalam keadaan terbuka dengan pelbagai aliran dan pihak yang terlibat cuba untuk mempertahankan dan melindungi aliran atau kumpulan yang didukungnya itu. Oleh itu, terhasillah golongan yang fanatik dan taasub dengan mazhab tertentu, mematuhi kepada aliran akidah tertentu, memberi sokongan secara membuta tuli kepada tokoh atau agamawan yang dilihat sebagai pembawa transformasi, dan pelbagai aliran serta organisasi lain yang muncul membawa idea pemikiran dan pemahaman tersendiri.

Oleh yang demikian, isu-isu yang melibatkan fanatik dan taasub beragama dalam Malaysia boleh dilihat menerusi beberapa insiden mahupun kejadian yang pernah dilaporkan berlaku.

            Peristiwa Kumpulan Al Maunah – Pada tahun 2000, negara kita pernah digemparkan satu kejadian apabila terdapat satu kumpulan yang menggelarkan diri mereka sebagai Pertubuhan Dalam Ajaran Al-Maunah yang merancang untuk menggulingkan kerajaan pada ketika itu dengan menggunakan kekerasan dan bersenjata. Disini dapat kita lihat bahawa pada asalnya kumpulan ini yang dikatakan mendalami ilmu persilatan yang turut menggunakan tenaga dalaman dan juga turut mempelajari perubatan tradisional Islam sahaja. Akan tetapi, akibat terlalu fanatik dan taasub mendalami ilmu tersebut diselit dengan ideologi yang dibawa oleh pemimpin kumpulan itu, ianya merubah tujuan penubuhan kumpulan tersebut sehingga mampu berfikir dan bertindak untuk menggulingkan kerajaan Malaysia dengan menggunakan kekerasan yang dianggap sebagai jihad demi mencapai objektif mereka.

            Budaya Takfiri– Pada tahun 80-an, polemik politik di Malaysia telah dimomok oleh satu insiden yang melibatkan parti-parti politik. Isu yang tercetus ini dianggap satu isu besar kerana ia bukan sahaja melibatkan perbalahan antara parti politik semata malah ia turut melibatkan fahaman terhadap agama serta melibatkan budaya kafir mengkafir atau lebih dikenali sebagai takfiri. Budaya kafir mengkafir ini dilihat satu perbuatan yang sangat terkutuk ditambah pula kenyataan yang dilemparkan itu datangnya dari seorang pemimpin parti politik yang beragama Islam. Jelas disini bahawa ideologi dan fahaman Islam yang terlalu taasub dan fanatik telah dijadikan modal bagi mereka dalam mencapai matlamat politik.

            Serangan Molotov KK Mart – Pada Mac 2024, terdapat insiden serangan Molotov Cocktail dilaporkan berlaku dalam negara kita. Serangan tersebut berlaku rentetan daripada satu isu sensitif yang dikaitkan dengan satu agama besar dalam Malaysia iaitu kalimah Allah tertera pada stoking. Isu tersebut mendapat reaksi yang begitu meluas sehingga melibatkan banyak pihak seperti agamawan, ilmuan, ahli politik bahkan Raja-Raja Melayu. Serangan molotov cocktail di kedai serbaneka KK Mart dikatakan berlaku berpunca daripada isu sensitif tersebut. Berdasarkan serangan tersebut, boleh dikatakan ia berpunca daripada perilaku seseorang individu atau kumpulan yang terlalu fanatik dan taasub terhadap agama. Namun begitu, berkemungkinan juga tindakan yang diambil adalah untuk mempertahankan kalimah suci Allah yang merupakan Tuhan bagi umat Islam. Walaubagaimanapun, tindakan pelampau yang sedemikian merupakan perbuatan yang dilarang menurut ajaran Islam.

KESAN/ANCAMAN

Ideologi: Bersikap terlalu fanatik dan taasub dalam beragama merupakan satu tindakan yang mampu memberi kesan buruk. Mereka yang terlalu berfanatik dan taasub beragama ini kebiasaannya akan menganggap dan merasakan bahawa “tokoh” atau pemimpin yang mereka ikuti itu adalah merupakan individu yang harus mereka percayai. Ideologi atau naratif yang bersifat keras atau terlampau (ekstrem) juga dilihat mampu terwujud menerusi sikap fanatik dan taasub beragama ini. Hal ini kerana, bila seseorang individu atau kumpulan itu mula bertindak memilih pendekataan kekerasan iaitu menggunakan senjata bagi menghapuskan apa yang telah dianggap batil, atau cuba untuk mengubah kemungkaran dengan menggunakan persenjataan. Jelas bahawa perbuatan ekstrem merujuk kepada perbuatan yang ganas (kaedah) seseorang individu atau kumpulan (pelaku) lanjutan daripada suatu kepercayaan atau fahaman ekstrem ke atas individu atau kumpulan sosial (sasaran) tertentu bagi mencapai matlamat serta perubahan dari segi politik, sosial, ekonomi, agama dan ideologi (matlamat). Sikap ketaasuban dan fanatisme dalam kalangan masyarakat di Malaysia mampu menggugat keamanan serta keharmonian yang telah diamalkan sejak sekian lama.

Perpaduan Keluarga, Masyarakat dan Politik: Usaha mendoktrinasi atau memupuk sikap fanatik dan taasub terhadap agama mahupun sesuatu ikutan dalam kalangan masyarakat di Malaysia perlu dibanteras dengan segera dari terus menular. Perkara ini dilihat menjadi ‘virus’ negatif dalam semangat perpaduan rakyat negara Malaysia dan mampu membawa kepada tercetusnya tragedi yang tidak diingini sekiranya tiada tindakan susulan segera dari pihak bertanggungjawab. Generasi remaja yang mana semakin menjadi komponen terbesar rakyat di negara ini perlu diberikan bimbingan dan pendedahan perihal kesan buruk kepada sikap fanatik dan taasub beragama ini. Mereka merupakan antara kelompok yang mudah untuk menerima segala apa input atau output sesuatu perkara itu tanpa usul periksa dengan alasan input mahupun output tersebut sumbernya datang dari mereka-mereka yang lebih berpengalaman. Justeru itu, wajar bagi mereka mengguna pakai input dan output tersebut. Sememangnya perkara sedemikian perlu dielakkan daripada berlaku kerana khuatir bahawa ia bakal menjurus negara ini ke kancah perpecahan perpaduan samada kaum, agama dan bangsa.

Perbuatan Ekstremisme: Sifat fanatik dan taasub keagamaan yang berlebihan dalam kalangan masyarakat secara individu atau kumpulan dilihat mampu membawa kepada berlakunya perbuatan berunsurkan ekstremis atau ganas yang mampu memberi ancaman pada negara secara khususnya. Sekiranya seseorang individu itu yang terlalu fanatik dan taasub terhadap agama, berkemungkinan besar bagi mereka-mereka ini bertindak melakukan perbuatan berunsurkan keganasan itu tinggi disebabkan oleh pendekatan dan pendedahan yang diterima pakai olehnya menerusi ‘tokoh’ atau ketua kumpulan mereka itu. Individu yang terlalu fanatik dan taasub akan sesuatu perkara ini cenderung untuk menerima bulat-bulat apa sahaja maklumat, pendedahan, arahan dan kata-kata yang disampaikan oleh individu yang dianggap ‘tokoh’ itu. Bagi mereka yang terlalu fanatik dan taasub ini, kata-kata tersebut merupakan satu mandat yang perlu dituruti dan dilaksanakan tanpa gagal walaupun hakikatnya perbuatan tersebut membawa kepada keburukan. Ini turut memberi ancaman kepada keselamatan negara sekiranya tiada tindakan awal pencegahan dilaksanakan oleh pihak berkuasa dan pihak-pihak lain yang terlibat. 

LANGKAH PENCEGAHAN

1.         Menyedari Impikasi Negatif Terhadap Sikap Fanatik dan Taasub Beragama – Seluruh masyarakat di Malaysia yang terdiri daripada pelbagai bangsa dan kaum haruslah sedar akan implikasi negetif daripada sikap terlalu fanatik dan taasub beragama ini. Setiap pihak atau organisasi perlu bekerjasama dalam menghindari segala perbalahan dan permusuhan khusus bila ianya melibatkan sentimen 3R (Royal, Religion, Races).

2.         Mengadakan Pertemuan/Perbincangan – Perbincangan dua hala merupakan satu platform terbaik dalam usaha untuk mendapatkan penyelesaian terbaik terhadap isu yang berbalah. Pihak-pihak yang berbalah harus diwakili oleh golongan ilmuwan ataupun agamawan yang mempunyai ilmu. Pertemuan/perbincangan ini harus difokuskan kepada matlamat utama untuk mencari penyelesaian serta kebenaran bukan untuk mencari kemenangan.

3.         Mewujudkan Pertimbangan Ilmiah – Setiap agama mempunyai kitab suci dan ajaran yang telah ditetapkan berdasarkan kepada kepercayaan masing-masing. Bagi umat Islam secara khususnya telah diajari untuk meletakkan al-Quran dan al-Sunnah sebagai rujukan utama. Tidak boleh dinafikan bahawa al-Quran dan al-Sunnah merupakan rujukan utama bagi seluruh umat Islam didunia. Walau bagaimanapun, bukan semua orang mampu dan mempunyai kearifan dengan al-Quran dan al-Sunnah. Oleh itu, segala rujukan perlu dibuat menerusi organisasi, agamawan dan tokoh ilmuan yang mempunyai pengetahuan secara meluas dalam bidang dan kepakaran masing-masing dan haruslah diakui keilmuan dan ketokohan mereka itu.

4.         Pendidikan dan Literasi Media – Mengintegrasikan program pendidikan dan literasi media ke dalam kurikulum sekolah dan usaha mendekati masyarakat untuk melengkapkan individu dengan kemahiran berfikir kritis dan daya tahan terhadap propaganda perpecahan kaum dan ekstremis. Pelajar perlu di didik untuk menilai maklumat secara kritis, membezakan fakta daripada fiksyen dan mengenali taktik manipulasi yang digunakan oleh individu atau sesetengah kelompok kumpulan yang benar-benar ingin melihat perpecahan kaum serta ketidakharmonian terjadi dalam Malaysia. Menggalakkan celik digital dan penggunaan platform media sosial yang bertanggungjawab untuk menentang radikalisasi dalam talian.

5.         Penglibatan dan Pemerkasaan Komuniti – Memupuk perkongsian dengan komuniti tempatan, pemimpin agama, organisasi masyarakat sivil dan kumpulan belia untuk menggalakkan daya tahan masyarakat terhadap propaganda perpecahan kaum dan agama. Memperkasakan komuniti untuk mengenal pasti dan menangani rungutan, menggalakkan perpaduan sosial dan menyediakan laluan alternatif untuk individu yang kurang arif mengenai sistem kepelbagaian agama yang wujud di negara ini. Antara lain aktiviti berdialog juga boleh dilaksanakan bagi memupuk persefahaman bersama dan inisiatif membina kepercayaan serta menghormati keagamaan seseorang dalam kalangan masyarakat yang pelbagai.

PENUTUP

Secara keseluruhannya, isu fanatik dan taasub beragama ini bukanlah isu baru yang berlaku di Malaysia. Negara kita pernah dilanda isu ini sejak dari tahun 1960an lagi. Perbezaan pendekatan ilmu agama serta ditambah perbezaan fahaman politik menjadikan golongan fanatik dan taasub ini terus wujud dengan ramainya kerana masing-masing mengikuti dan menerima segala apa yang telah disampaikan oleh tokoh, ketua atau pemimpin mereka itu walaupun ia bertentangan dengan ajaran yang sepatutnya.

Sikap fanatik dan taasub ini dapat dikawal apabila setiap individu tersebut mengambil pendekatan sendiri dengan memperbaiki diri masing-masing dengan memperbanyakkan sumber rujukan, menerima pendapat dan pandangan orang lain serta mengelakkan diri daripada terjebak kepada mana-mana individu atau kumpulan yang mengamalkan budaya fanatisme ini. Bagi umat Islam, mereka perlu belajar dan mendekati ilmu agama sepertimana yang diperintahkan oleh Allah SWT dan meninggalkan apa yang dilarang olehNya. Menggunakan al-Quran dan al-Sunnah sebagai sumber rujukan utama dan jangan sesekali menyalah erti apa yang telah disampaikan didalamnya. Bagi para pemimpin, ahli politik, agamawan, dan tokoh-tokoh ilmuan pula hendaklah menyampaikan sesuatu perkara itu secara rasional dan bersederhana agar segala perkara baik tersebut dapat dijadikan ikutan bersama.

Masyarakat perlu bersama – sama dan menyokong pihak kerajaan dalam tindakan menguatkuasakan Kedaulatan Undang – Undang serta menggalakkan secara menyeluruh perpaduan antara kaum di dalam negara ini dengan mengambil tindakan segera dan tegas terhadap mana – mana pihak secara individu atau organisasi yang cuba mencetuskan sebarang bentuk tindakan proaktif yang menjerumus kepada konflik perpecahan kaum serta agama. Tindakan sedemikian mampu menjadi pemangkin negatif kepada keharmonian, keamanan dan perpaduan antara kaum yang telah dipupuk sejak dahulu. Setiap daripada kita hendaklah memuliakan tanpa mengambil kira perbezaan kebudayaan dan menghormati perbezaan agama tanpa mencetuskan konflik. Dengan wujudnya nilai sedemikian, kedamaian dan keamanan dapat terjamin sekaligus membuatkan kehidupan semua orang berada dalam keadaan selesa.

 

ARTIKEL PEMBUBARAN JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH INDONESIA : ADAKAH PENGAKHIRAN IDEOLOGI JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH

Posted on by

PENDAHULUAN

Pada 30 Jun 24, jurucakap kumpulan Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) iaitu Abu Rusdan bersama-sama 15 pemimpin kanan telah mengisytharkan pembubaran kumpulan tersebut serta menamatkan segala aktiviti berkaitan ekstremisme, radikalisme dan terorisme yang pernah dilakukan. Kenyataan mengenai pembubaran kumpulan JI tersebut disebarkan melalui satu rakaman video yang dirakam di Bogor, Jawa Barat. Antara pemimpin kanan yang terlibat adalah Para Wijayanto, Abu Mahmuda, Bambang Sukirno, Abu Fatih, Ustaz Zarkasih, Ustaz Shalahudin, Ustaz Fachrudin Soleh, Ustaz Saptono Munadi, Ustaz Abu Dujanah, Ustaz Qadri Faturrahman, Tengku Azhar, Ustaz Imtihan, Ustaz Hamad, Ustaz Mustaqim dan Ustaz Fahim.

Menerusi teks ucapan pengisytiharaan pembubaran kumpulan JI yang dibacakan oleh Abu Rusdan, hasrat untuk pembubaran kumpulan JI turut disokong oleh majlis kepimpinan JI, pemimpin institusi pendidikan gabungan dan sekolah berasrama Islam (pesantren).

Dalam masa yang sama, JI Indonesia turut memberitahu rancangan mereka untuk menyemak dan meneliti semula kurikulum pendidikan di pesantren yang berada di bawah organisasi tersebut dalam usaha menghapuskan ideologi ekstremis. Perkara ini adalah selaras dengan prinsip-prinsip Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah, undang-undang negara dan norma kehidupan masyarakat di Indonesia.

LATAR BELAKANG KUMPULAN JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH (JI)

Jemaah Islamiyah yang juga dikenali sebagai Al-Jama’ah Al-Islamiyah@ Jamaah Islamiyah; @Jama’ah Islamiyah (JI) merupakan sebuah pertubuhan (tanzim) dan gerakan ideologi yang lahir daripada Darul Islam (DI), sebuah gerakan berorientasikan politik yang diasaskan oleh S.K. Kartosuwirjo, di tengah-tengah kemuncak perang kemerdekaan Indonesia melawan Belanda pada akhir tahun 1940.

Apabila Indonesia mencapai kemerdekaan pada tahun 1945, Presiden Sukarno mengisytiharkan bahawa Indonesia sebuah negara sekular yang berlandaskan ideologi Pancasila. Sehubungan itu, Kartosuwirjo bertindak menggunakan pendekatan militan dan mengisytiharkan jihad menentang kepimpinan Sukarto. Kartosuwirjo telah ditangkap dan di hukum mati pada tahun 1962. Walaupun beliau telah meninggal dunia, visi untuk menubuhkan Daulah Islamiyah di kepulauan Melayu (Nusantara) telah dikekalkan secara rahsia oleh pengikutnya iaitu Abdullah Sungkar dan Abu Bakar Basyir.

Pada tahun 1992, kumpulan JI telah ditubuhkan setelah berlakunya perselisihan pendapat antara Abdullah Sungkar dengan jaringan besar DI. Puncanya adalah perbezaan ideologi dan doktrin melibatkan konsep, kaedah dan pendekatan perjuangan jihad jaringan  Abdullah Sungkar yang dilihat lebih radikal dan keras berbanding aliran DI lain termasuk aliran Ajengan Masduki. Aliran Sungkar yang turut dikenali sebagai Sabilillah pada ketika itu berhasrat meneruskan perjuangan dengan perang bersenjata secara gerila. Dalam melaksanakan konsep dakwah, Abdullah Sungkar dan Abu Bakar Ba’asyir banyak dipengaruhi oleh pemikir-pemikir dari Timur Tengah seperti Sayyid Qutb dan Hassan Al-Banna (pengasas Ikhwanul Muslimin). JI juga dikenali sebagai sebuah kumpulan Salafi Jihadi yang bermaksud menggunakan kekerasan demi mencapai matlamat politik dan diilhamkan oleh ideologi yang sama seperti Al-Qaeda.

JI mula membentuk dirinya sebagai sebuah kumpulan pengganas dengan membekalkan sumber kewangan dan logistik kepada operasi Al-Qaeda di Asia Tenggara. Terdapat 4 cawangan Mantiqi iaitu  Mantiqi 1 merangkumi Malaysia dan Singapura, Mantiqi 2 merangkumi Indonesia, Mantiqi 3 merangkumi Mindanao, Sabah dan Kalimantan Timur serta Mantiqi 4 merangkumi Australia dan Maldives.

JI turut terkenal dengan taktik serangan pengeboman bunuh diri, menggunakan alat letupan Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) dan senjata kecil dalam aktiviti keganasan yang digunakan bagi menyerang sasarannya seperti gereja Kristian dan tempat hiburan. JI juga terlibat dalam aktiviti keganasan di negara luar termasuk Afghanistan, Syria dan selatan Filipina serta cubaan melaksanakan aktiviti keganasan di Singapura dan Malaysia.

 

Antara warga tempatan dan luar yang radikal lahir dari ideologi JI adalah seperti berikut :

  1. Hambali (Riduan Isamuddin) – Seorang pemimpin kanan JI yang menggunakan Malaysia sebagai pangkalan untuk menyelaraskan operasi JI. Hambali turut terlibat dalam merancang beberapa serangan termasuklah pengeboman yang berlaku di Bali pada tahun 2002.
  2. Noordin Mat Top – Merupakan warganegara Malaysia bertanggung jawab merekrut dan pakar strategi JI. Noordin terlibat dalam beberapa siri pengeboman di Indonesia termasuk pengeboman di Hotel JW Marriott, Jakarta pada 2003.
  3. Azahari Husin – Anggota JI warganegara Malaysia yang pakar dalam pembuatan bom dan memainkan peranan penting dalam insiden pengeboman Bali serta serangan lain di Indonesia.
  4. Zulkifli Hir (Marwan) – Warganegara Malaysia yang menjadi anggota JI dan terlibat dalam aktiviti keganasan di Filipina. Marwan turut dikaitkan dengan beberapa insiden pengeboman dan tersenarai sebagai orang paling dikehendaki oleh FBI. Marwan dibunuh dalam serbuan di Filipina pada tahun 2015.
  5. Mas Selamat Kastari – Mas Selamat berasal dari Singapura dan dikaitkan mempunyai hubungan dengan JI. Selamat menjadikan Malaysia sebagai tempat persembunyian selepas melarikan diri dari tahanan di Singapura pada 2008 sebelum ditangkap semula setahun kemudian di Malaysia.
  6. Yazid Sufaat – Seorang ahli mikrobiologi berasal dari Malaysia dan bekas pegawai tentera berpangkat kapten. Yazid telah dikaitkan dengan kumpulan JI dan Al-Qaeda serta dilaporkan terlibat dalam satu penyelidikan untuk kumpulan Al-Qaeda. Yazid telah ditahan beberapa kali oleh pihak berkuasa Malaysia di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri.

MEREKRUT DAN PENDANAAN KUMPULAN

Aktiviti JI mempunyai penekanan kepada Dawlah (Islamic outreach) dan penerbitan untuk menyediakan pangkalan sokongan mujahidin bagi aktiviti ekstremis. JI menyebarkan ideologi Jihad dengan melaksanakan proses merekrut secara covert melalui kenalan peribadi, kumpulan kajian agama dan rangkaian lebih 50 “pesantren” (sekolah agama/pondok). Sekolah-sekolah yang dikaitkan dengan JI terus menghasilkan generasi baru mujahidin yang berpotensi dan telah diindoktrinasi ke dalam ideologi yang bersimpati dengan matlamat jangka panjang JI.  Penjara turut dilihat menjadi salah satu laluan untuk proses merekrut kerana sesetengah ahli JI yang ditahan mempunyai akses kepada rakan-rakan tahanan lain.

INSIDEN SERANGAN KEGANASAN MELIBAT JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH (JI)

Ancaman keganasan yang dilaksanakan oleh JI tidak hanya tertumpu di sekitar rantau Asia Tenggara malah secara global melalui hubungan kerjasama dengan kumpulan pengganas seperti Al-Qaeda dan Taliban. Sehubungan itu, JI telah dimasukkan dalam senarai organisasi pengganas di bawah Resolusi Majlis Keselamatan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu 1267 pada 25 Okt 02. Antara insiden signifikan adalah seperti berikut:

Christmas Eve Bombings

24 Dis 2000 – JI memulakan operasi serangan keganasan besar-besaran menerusi pengeboman 28 buah gereja secara serentak di bandar-bandar Indonesia di Jakarta, Sumatera, dan Jawa. Serangan ini membunuh 19 orang dan lebih 120 orang lain cedera. Insiden ini dikenali sebagai ‘Christmas Eve Bombings’ yang telah dirancang dan diselaraskan oleh ketua operasi JI yang dikenali sebagai Hambali.

Rizal Bombings

30 Dis 2000 – Beberapa letupan telah menggegarkan Metro Manila menerusi serangan pengeboman dikenali ‘Rizal Bombings’. Bom yang ditanam di sekitar bandar ini telah meletup dalam tempoh sejam. Letupan dikatakan berlaku di dalam bas di Cubao, stesen minyak di Makati dan Plaza Ferguson, Ermita berhampiran Kedutaan AS. Serangan yang paling teruk berlaku di dalam kereta api di Stesen Blumentritt LRT 1 di Manila yang meragut nyawa seramai 22 orang manakala 100 orang cedera.

Bali Bombings

12 Okt 2002 – Letupan bom yang berlaku di Bali, Indonesia telah meragut seramai 202 nyawa dan mencederakan hampir 300 orang. Sebuah bom meletup di Kelab Malam Paddy’s Pub dan Sari Club, kawasan yang menjadi tumpuan pelancong ketika berada di Bali.

JW Marriot Hotel Bombings

05 Ogos 2003 – Sebuah kenderaan yang sarat dengan bahan letupan meletup di jalan masuk JW Marriott Hotel mengakibatkan 11 orang maut dan 152 yang lain cedera. Letupan tercetus pada hari terakhir perbicaraan suspek yang dituduh merancang dan melakukan pengeboman di Bali pada Oktober 2002.

Kedutaan Australia di Jakarta

09 Sep 2004 – Sebuah kereta meletup di luar kawasan kedutaan Australia yang terletak di Jakarta, Indonesia. Sembilan warga Indonesia terbunuh dan lebih 180 orang tercedera ekoran daripada impak letupan berkenaan. PK Indonesia kemudian berjaya menahan dan menghukum enam anggota JI berhubung serangan tersebut.

Jakarta Bombings

17 Jul 2009 – Insiden ‘Jakarta Bombings’ merupakan serangan bunuh diri yang menyasarkan dua buah hotel iaitu JW Marriott dan Ritz-Carlton di daerah Mega Kuningan, Jakarta, Indonesia. Pengeboman ini mengakibatkan tujuh maut termasuk tiga warga Australia manakala lebih 50 orang cedera.

Kawasan sasaran JI dilihat tertumpu kepada kawasan tumpuan awam dengan menyasarkan ‘soft target’ daripada menyasarkan fasiliti ketenteraan atau ‘hard target’. JI menggunakan kaedah serangan bunuh diri dan pengeboman kereta untuk memaksimumkan korban sekaligus menimbulkan rasa ketakutan di kalangan orang awam. 

SENARAI DEKLARASI PEMBUBARAN KUMPULAN JEMAAH ISLAMIYAH (JI)

Hasil kesepakatan antara majlis kepimpinan JI bersama pimpinan lembaga pendidikan dan pondok pesantren telah mengeluarkan enam inti pati yang bakal dilaksanakan selaras dengan pembubaran ini. Antara enam intipati tersebut adalah seperti berikut:

  1. Menyatakan pembubaran Kumpulan JI dan kembali ke pangkuan sistem negara Indonesia.
  1. Memastikan aliran sistem kurikulum bebas daripada unsur ekstremis dan berpandukan kepada prinsip-prinsip Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah.
  1. Membentuk pasukan bagi menyemak sistem kurikulum dan bahan pengajaran.
  1. Bersedia terlibat secara aktif dalam memenuhi kemerdekaan agar bangsa Indonesia menjadi bangsa yang maju dan bermartabat.
  1. Bersedia mengikut segala peruntukan sistem perundangan yang ada di Indonesia.
  1. Perkara berkaitan dengan perjanjian ini akan dibincangkan secara teliti bersama-sama dengan PK Indonesia.

KESAN

Penerimaan anggota kumpulan JI: Berita pembubaran JI dilihat masih terlalu awal untuk menilai kejayaan PK Indonesia dalam menghapuskan kumpulan tersebut. Ideologi keganasan sukar untuk dihapuskan sehingga mereka berkemungkinan melakukan tindakan keganasan sendiri. Perkara ini dapat dilihat dengan penangkapan anggota JI di Sulawesi Tengah yang menunjukkan cubaan menghidupkan kembali ideologi JI setelah Mujahidin Indonesia Timur (MIT), kumpulan yang dominan di Sulawesi namun berjaya dilumpuhkan sepenuhnya pada tahun 2022. Pembubaran JI mungkin tidak dipersetujui oleh semua anggota JI yang dianggarkan kira-kira 6,000 orang yang lebih cenderung untuk berfikir bahawa pemimpin mereka disogok dengan kewangan. Disamping itu, Abu Rusdan dan Para Wijayanto dilihat kurang kredibiliti memandangkan masih dalam tahanan yang secara tidak langsung memberi gambaran bahawa mereka membuat pengisytiharan dalam keadaan terpaksa.

Ideologi: Ideologi JI tidak akan mudah untuk terhapus kerana ideologi kumpulan tersebut sudah bertapak sekian lama. Kemungkinan kewujudan sleeper cell yang dilihat mampu mengembalikan semula aktiviti keganasan di rantau Asia Tenggara mahupun global oleh pengikut-pengikut bawahan yang masih menganggap perjuangan mereka itu bersifat suci. Tidak menolak kemungkinan bakal wujudnya kumpulan baru yang lebih radikal pada masa hadapan seperti yang berlaku di Filipina. Pada tahun 2008, perjanjian diantara Kumpulan Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) dengan Kerajaan Filipina tidak disokong sepenuhnya oleh pengikutnya dan akhirnya menubuhkan kumpulan Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF). Pembubaran JI turut bermungkinan didorong oleh beberapa faktor termasuk pengaruh intelektual dalam JI yang kurang berminat dengan jihad ganas. Sehubungan itu, pendekatan secara positif boleh diambil menerusi pembubaran kumpulan JI ini. Pihak Kerajaan Indonesia boleh mengadakan perbincangan berterusan dengan kepimpinan JI dalam memastikan bahawa pembubaran mereka ini adalah satu tindakan yang menyeluruh dan bukan hanya tindakan untuk mengalih perhatian atau muslihat JI untuk melindungi aset dan sumber kewangan mereka, terutama jaringan sekolah agama (pesantren) milik mereka.

PENUTUP

Kenyataan berhubung pembubaran kumpulan pengganas JI dilihat sebagai satu petanda positif dalam menghapuskan tanggapan bahawa umat Islam adalah pengganas yang sering kali dikaitkan oleh pihak Barat dan mengurangkan Islamophobia dalam kalangan negara bukan Islam.

Pembubaran ini memberi hala tuju yang positif dalam konteks menangani ekstremisme dan keganasan di Indonesia. Pihak berkuasa Indonesia melalui Kepolisian Republik Indonesia (POLRI) dan unit Densus 88 akan terus menggalas tanggungjawab besar dalam memastikan tiada ancaman baru yang muncul lanjutan daripada pembubaran ini. Pada masa yang sama, pembubaran JI ini juga berupaya memberi political mileage kepada pentadbiran Presiden Prabowo Subianto dalam mengendalikan ancaman ekstremisme dan keganasan yang lebih efektif berbanding pemerintahan yang sebelumnya.

Sepertimana yang diketahui, JI telah ditubuhkan di Malaysia dan dijangka masih ada lagi saki baki generasi yang menjadi symphatizer kepada ideologi kumpulan ini. Mereka boleh dianggap sleeper cell yang mampu melaksanakan serangan keganasan apabila dipacu oleh sentimen kebencian. Justeru, pemantauan berterusan oleh pihak berkuasa terhadap golongan symphatizer ini perlu dilakukan agar tidak ada elemen-elemen untuk menghidupkan perjuangan JI semula berlaku di negara ini. Pendedahan mengenai ancaman ekstremisme, radikalisme dan terorisme harus diketengahkan bagi semua peringkat umur terutamanya golongan remaja.

 

 

Quarterly Report: Terrorism Events And Developments In The Second Quarter of 2024

Posted on by

The second quarter of Terrorism Watch 2024 explores the most recent events and developments pertaining to terror-related incidents in Southeast Asia and significant incidents worldwide from April to June 2024.

Somalia has now successfully regained control of more than 215 locations previously controlled by the
Al-Shabaab group with the help of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), but it is expected to be a bit challenging when ATMIS will extract a few military personnel by the end of this year which will result in Al-Shabaab having the opportunity to control the
area again.

The lone wolf attack is seen as one of the current modus operandi often used by terrorist groups in launching terrorist
attacks nowadays.

There are still efforts to reactivate terrorist groups as well as the spread of Daesh ideology in Indonesia by some of the terrorist group followers who are obsessed and fanatical with their jihad struggle. The dissolution of Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) seen as the right step in curbing
terrorist activities.

Classifying a group and individual as terrorists is significant because it will facilitate the government to monitor the process and action against any terrorist activity in Malaysia.

In conclusion, the second quarter of 2024 sees an increase in the global and regional threat that terrorism poses. The threat perception has shifted to incorporate the dissemination of narratives in cyberspace, particularly on social media. Countries, particularly in this region, must take drastic measures to mitigate the issue.

Introduction

There are significant events in a number of countries around the world during the second quarter of 2024. The threat of terrorism at the global and regional levels has shown a significant increase, in addition to the latest trends in European and African countries. There is an increasing menace of terrorism, both on a local and worldwide scale, particularly in the aftermath of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Terrorist organizations, particularly Daesh, persist in utilizing social media as very efficient means for disseminating their ideology. Respective agencies such as Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) need to carry out periodic monitoring of social media content as well as video applications such as YouTube that are capable of threatening national security and can be blocked from being accessed by Malaysians if necessary.

The following are the highlights of recent terrorism-related occurrences around the world:

Australia

On 13 Apr 24, a terrorist attack occurred in the Westfield Bondi Junction shopping center located on the outskirts of Sydney. Joel Cauchi, a guy, launched an assault on the mall resulting in the death of six bystanders and the injury of 12 others.

On 15 Apr 24, Mar Mari Emmanuel, a renowned Bishop Priest in Sydney, was stabbed, along with four other individuals, during an assault at the Assyrian Church of Christ The Good Shepherd in Sydney, Australia. The individual in question is a 15-year-old male who practices the Islamic faith. The police have officially classed the incident as an act of terrorism due to its religious and hateful motivations.

Both incidents can be classified as lone wolf attacks. The presence of Islamophobia is considered a contributing factor to the prejudiced nature of the Australian authorities’ allegations against the implicated persons. The violent attack in Sydney serves as a clear demonstration that both Muslim and non-Muslim societies continue to embrace and propagate radical and extreme narratives. If the authorities, particularly in Australia, do not adopt a more moderate approach in addressing the issue of crime, domestic violence, and terrorism, similar situations are likely to occur again. This is especially true when it includes Muslim minority populations in Australia.

Somalia

On 1 Apr 24, The Somali National Army (SNA) conducted a military operation in central and southern Somalia, resulting in the elimination of 81 Al-Shabaab militants, including their leaders. The operation was conducted in the primary strongholds of Al-Shabaab in Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Wajid, located in the Bakool Province. The military operation also eradicated the assets of armed vehicles owned by the terrorist organization.

On 3 Apr 24, The Somali National Army (SNA) initiated an aerial assault mission aimed at eliminating the leadership of Al-Shabaab in the town of Sablaale, located in the Lower Shabelle region, where it is suspected that the leaders are hiding. Ahmed Diriye, also known as Abu Ubaida, is accountable for carrying out acts of terrorism in the East African region, specifically targeting Kenya, Uganda, and Djibouti.

On 1 Apr 24, The Somali National Army (SNA) conducted a military operation in central and southern Somalia, resulting in the elimination of 81 Al-Shabaab militants, including their leaders. The operation was conducted in the primary strongholds of Al-Shabaab in Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Wajid, located in the Bakool Province. The military operation also eradicated the assets of armed vehicles owned by the terrorist organization.

On 3 Apr 24, The Somali National Army (SNA) initiated an aerial assault mission aimed at eliminating the leadership of Al-Shabaab in the town of Sablaale, located in the Lower Shabelle region, where it is suspected that the leaders are hiding. Ahmed Diriye, also known as Abu Ubaida, is accountable for carrying out acts of terrorism in the East African region, specifically targeting Kenya, Uganda, and Djibouti.

The operation was most likely carried out in response to the increasing threat of terrorism, particularly in Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Wajid, Bakool Region, as a result of the uncertain political climate following the local elections. The investigation discovered that there was a misunderstanding among the tribes in these three locations, which resulted in a small number of local armed organizations switching their support from the government to Al-Shabaab. The current situation is expected to hamper the momentum of the counter-terrorism operation being carried out by Somali security forces in collaboration with the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). At the same time, Somali security forces’ actions in targeting Al-Shabaab’s leader, Abu Ubaida, are expected to put additional pressure on the terrorist group. The Somali government is also expected to scale up operations to curtail Al-Shabaab’s push to reclaim control of the territory seized by the Somali security forces, as well as regaining the support of local militant organizations over the Somali government.

Pakistan

On 23 Apr 24, Pakistani security forces killed three terrorists from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during an operation in Balochistan’s Pishin area. An Afghan citizen who was a member of the TTP was injured during the intense combat with government forces. The operation also revealed a facility to store bombs, weapons, and ammo.

On 4 May 24, Pakistani security forces effectively killed six TTP terrorists during an operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The terrorist group’s hideout was also destroyed during this rigorous operation.

Terrorism is primarily concentrated in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The Pakistani government has made various steps to avoid terrorist acts, which routinely endanger the safety and well-being of the populace. Pakistan recently began working with Iran to combat terrorism, focusing on terrorist organizations sheltering in Afghanistan. This agreement is expected to encourage Afghanistan to prevent terrorist groups from using the country as a safe haven or hotspot. Furthermore, this action is considered to put pressure on terrorist organizations who previously sought to use the friction between Iran and Pakistan about border assaults.

France

On 31 May 24, French authorities arrested an 18-year-old adolescent for reportedly plotting a terrorist attack during the upcoming Paris Olympics in Saint-Etienne, France. The suspect, a Muslim adolescent of Chechen heritage, is alleged to be preparing an attack on the Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium in Saint-Etienne during an upcoming soccer match. The suspect planned to carry out a suicide assault on both the audience and the security forces.

France is implementing tight security measures in preparation for the 2015 Paris Olympics, which are projected to draw 10,000 participants and 10 million tourists. The arrests conducted before to the Olympic events underlined the possibility of terrorist strikes amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. France has the largest Jewish population in Europe and the third-largest worldwide. The participation of Israeli athletes in the Olympics makes it a prominent target for terrorist attacks by both groups and individuals. French authorities have taken aggressive measures, boosting the number of enforcement personnel to 15,000. Furthermore, travelers will not have gratis entrance to attend the opening ceremony for security reasons.

Turkiye

On 15 Apr 24, Turkiye Security Forces carried out a cross-border operation in Hakhurk province, Northern Iraq, killing 12 Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists. The military operation targeted the PKK terrorist group’s base in the border region between Turkey and Iraq.

On 15 May 24, Turkish security forces arrested suspected Daesh terrorists in four parts of the country. The operation “Bozdogan-38” took place in the provinces of Sanliurfa, Hatay, Denizli, and Konya. The alleged terrorists are accused of recruiting new Daesh members, supplying the organization with weapons and training, delivering logistical support and finance help to the active members.

Turkiye is actively tackling the terrorism issue by focusing on the PKK terrorist group’s strongholds along the Turkiye-Iraq-Syria border. In light of the increased threat of terrorism, Turkiye Security Forces are expected to strengthen Operation Claw-Lock, an anti-terrorism effort centered on the Qandil Mountains, the PKK terrorist group’s main stronghold. Furthermore, different tactics and operations have been beneficial in disrupting Daesh’s planned terrorist attacks. Since June 23, there have been over 1,000 anti-terror operations targeting Daesh, resulting in the arrest of over 2,000 people. The ongoing operation demonstrates Turkiye’s unwavering commitment to the peace, unity, and security of its people and the wider international community. This incarceration is expected to undermine the PKK terrorist group and the Daesh network in Turkey, as well as ensuring that no terrorist financing may take place within the country.

 

TERRORISM IN SOUTHEAST ASIA

INDONESIA

On 16 Apr 24, The Special Detachment 88 Anti-Terrorism Team (Densus 88) apprehended seven suspected terrorists in Central Sulawesi, specifically in Palu City, Sigi Regency, and Poso Regency. It is widely thought that they have links to the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) network. Densus 88 carried out searches in multiple residences in Talise Valangguni Village, Palu City, and in Kalukubula Village, Sigi Regency to collect evidence. The evidence recovered included laptops, mobile phones, and documents pertaining to strategies for obtaining funds to support Daesh’s ongoing operations.

On 16 June 24, a suspected terrorist was apprehended by Densus 88 in Cikampek, Karawang Regency, West Java. The alleged terrorist was apprehended for allegedly joining a network supporting Daesh in Indonesia and conspiring to carry out acts of terrorism involving explosives. The Indonesian Security Forces also seized multiple electronic components and explosives that were planned for use in the terrorist attack.

On 30 June 24, Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) formally declared its demise via a video made in Bogor, West Java. In the video, which has a duration of three minutes and 10 seconds, Abu Rusdan, the spokesperson of the JI group, can be seen reading the declaration of dissolution. He is surrounded by 15 prominent leaders of the organization, namely Para Wijayanto, Abu Mahmuda, Bambang Sukirno, Abu Fatih, Ustaz Zarkasih, Ustaz Shalahudin, Ustaz Fachrudin Soleh, Ustaz Saptono Munadi, Ustaz Abu Dujanah, Ustaz Qadri Faturrahman, Tengku Azhar, Ustaz Imtihan, Ustaz Hamad, Ustaz Mustaqim, and Ustaz Fahim. The decision has received certification from top members of the JI leadership council, leaders of educational institutions, and pesantren.

Despite the dissolution of JI, the persistence of terrorist ideology poses a formidable challenge in completely eradicating it, hence enabling the potential for individuals to partake in acts of violence. This is evident from the apprehension of JI members attempting to revive JI’s ideology in Sulawesi following the complete incapacitation of the Mujahiddin Indonesia Timur (MIT) in 2022. Indonesian security personnel must remain vigilant against autonomous splinter groups. The apprehension of Daesh terrorist suspects is perceived as a component of the government’s endeavors to implement preemptive measures. While sanctions and the implementation of anti-terrorism laws have significantly weakened terrorist organizations in Indonesia, the dissemination of Daesh’s ideology still has the potential to radicalize individuals, leading to ongoing terrorist actions. Indonesia is expected to heighten its surveillance in order to detect any indications of terrorist activity and prevent a repetition of incidents like the Bali bombing.

THE PHILIPPINES

On 16 Apr 24, Terrorist groups Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) conducted an ambush in Maguindanao Del Sur, resulting in the death of four members of the MILF. The deceased individuals are all inhabitants of Dapiawan hamlet in Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao del Sur.

On 22 Apr 24, a high-ranking leader of a terrorist organization and 11 members of the BIFF were eliminated, while seven military soldiers sustained injuries during a conflict in Maguindanao del Sur. The deceased BIFF leader has been named as Mohiden Animbang, also known as Kagui Karialan. He was murdered during a fierce confrontation with the police forces at Kampung Kitango, Datu Saudi Ampatuan. A number of weaponry, including three M16 rifles and one M14 rifle, were confiscated.

On 25 May 24, Ahmed Samsudin @ Jivin Ansao, a BIFF member and expert in Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), was killed by Philippine Security Forces in Barangay Butilen, Salibo, Maguindanao del Sur. The Philippine Security Forces initiated an attack following the sharing of information by the local community about the presence of a group of BIFF members in the area. Ahmed, who was killed found with a .45-caliber pistol, five cartridges, a cellphone and 26 IEDs.

On 28 May 24, Udon Hasim, a high-ranking member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), also known as Utoh or Kah, was eliminated during a military operation conducted by the Philippine Security Forces in Barangay Lahay-Lahay, Tandubas, Tawi-Tawi. Udon initiated an armed conflict with Philippine Security Forces after they declined to surrender, resulting in the injuries of one member and the fatalities of two others. This operation confiscated several packets of methamphetamine, along with M14 and M16 guns and a quantity of ammunition.

This assault is perceived by the DI and BIFF terrorist groups as a reaction to the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement, which they contend has had a detrimental effect on them, and the collaboration between the MILF and the government. The Philippine Security Forces’ efficacy is indicative of the country’s dedication to the fight against terrorism in the Southern Philippines. It is expected that the Philippine Security Forces will intensify their Focused Military Operation (FMO) against the residual members of the group in Maguindanao del Sur province. Furthermore, the Security Force is anticipated to strengthen security measures in high-risk areas by fostering collaboration with local authorities and community leaders.

MALAYSIA

The terrorist threat at the national level is currently being effectively managed. From 2013 to the present, the nation has apprehended approximately 565 individuals who are associated with Daesh terrorist and militant networks. This figure includes 197 non-nationals and 368 domestic residents.

On 17 May 24, two police officers were killed, and another was injured in an incident at the Ulu Tiram Police Station. The perpetrator, identified as Radinromyullah bin Radin Imran, dressed in dark attire and a mask, brandished a machete and attacked two police officers who were on duty. The assailant successfully disarmed the policemen, taking possession of their gun barrels, a Walter P99 handgun, and a HK-MP5. The perpetrator thereafter discharged two rounds at an individual, causing injuries to the shoulder and abdomen, while another individual sustained laceration to the posterior aspect of the neck and head.

On 13 June 24, Muhammad Sani Mahdi Sahad, a garden worker, has been accused at the Muar Sessions Court, Johor, for providing support to Daesh. The person has been arrested twice before under the Security Offenses (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma). The latest allegation pertains to providing support to the Daesh terrorist organization via Facebook using the pseudonym ‘Abu Ibrahim’, which was then changed to ‘Oyen Ucuk’. The defendant is being accused of an offense under Section 130J (1) (a) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum punishment of 40 years imprisonment or a fine. Additionally, any property utilized in the commission of the felony may be subject to confiscation.

On 19 June 24, Five individuals from the suspect’s family involved in the Ulu Tiram Police Station attack, which led to the fatalities of two police officers, were brought before the Johor Bahru Sessions Court. Each of the suspects was charged with nine distinct counts of promoting and fostering the ideology of the Daesh terrorist organization. The accused individuals consist of Radin Imran Radin Mohd Tassin, aged 62, his spouse Rosna Jantan, aged 59, and their three children Radin Romyullah, aged 34, Sobrina, aged 23, and Mariah, aged 19.

On 24 June 24, The Anti-Terrorist Division (E8) of the Special Branch, Bukit Aman, carried out an operation that led to the successful apprehension of eight individuals who are connected to terrorist organizations. Individuals have been apprehended in multiple areas throughout the nation in relation to the threats made against the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and the Prime Minister. These individuals are believed to be connected to the Daesh group. All the individuals under investigation are being charged with the offenses of soliciting and offering assistance to Daesh, possessing materials associated with terrorist activity, and facilitating the commission of terrorist actions.

On 25 June 24, A 35-year-old man has been accused before the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur with three counts of aiding, possessing items, and admitting to being a member of the Daesh terrorist organization. The accused, Muhammad Muzzammil Mohd Mohlis, who works at a restaurant, has been formally accused of willfully providing assistance to Daesh. This was allegedly done through the use of a Facebook account under the name Ibn Nuhas and a Telegram account under the name Wilayah Maliziyah (in Arabic).

The police have determined that the Ulu Tiram assault was a lone wolf attack, motivated by the perpetrators’ own understanding and without the involvement of the JI terrorist group. The ideology of JI continues to be present in Malaysia, and they can be regarded as a sleeper cell that is capable of perpetrating terrorist acts when motivated by malicious sentiments. The authorities should devote their entire attention to the presence of foreign terrorist fighters (FTF), particularly Mohammed Farik Amin and Mohammed Nazir Lep (Bali Bombing 2002), who will be released from Guantanamo prison in five years. The Ulu Tiram police station assault has attracted substantial attention from numerous countries, particularly Singapore and Indonesia. JI’s continued operation in Malaysia could have a detrimental impact on both countries.

The majority of the suspects being apprehended are erstwhile radicals and individuals who have been re-accused for the same offense. This point demonstrates that recidivism is also a concern, which demonstrates the difficulty of recovering from the ideology of violence. Despite the fact that the data suggests that fewer than 5% of extremists revert to terrorist beliefs, they are able to entice family members and intimate companions to become involved, thereby increasing the likelihood of an attack in Malaysia. Several factors, including community stigma, difficulties in life, lack of support from the community, and limited rehabilitation programs, are also likely to contribute to recidivism. Therefore, it is imperative that the authorities, particularly the Malaysian Communications Multimedia Commission (MCMC), collaborate with the Royal Malaysia Police and other security agencies to strengthen their monitoring efforts in order to prevent the public from accessing social media platforms that advocate for violent and radical extremist narratives in Malaysia. Malaysia must also address it in a prudent manner by instituting Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) awareness programs, such as rehabilitation and support programs for ex-radical prisoners, through related agencies.

CONCLUSION

At the global and regional levels, there is still a rise in the presence of extremism, radicalism, and terrorism in the second quarter of 2024. Countries including Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Turkey continue to experience terrorism threats as a result of persistent instability. Furthermore, terrorist organizations capitalize on Israel’s military operations in Palestine to inspire lone-wolf attacks, employing the slogan “Kill Them Wherever You Find Them.” Two incidents in Australia could be classified as lone wolf assaults. However, the Australian authorities’ bias toward the individuals in question is perceived as being driven by the Islamophobia factor. However, France is currently in the process of bolstering security measures for the Paris Olympics by escalating the threat level to the highest level following the successful apprehension of a suspect who was attempting to carry out a terrorist attack. France, which has the highest concentration of Jews in Europe, is a prime target for terrorist attacks from any terrorist group or lone wolf, as it endorses Israel’s participation in the Olympic games.

Indonesia’s proactive measures have effectively suppressed terrorism in the nation following the election, as evidenced by the increasing threat of terrorism in Southeast Asia. It is deemed premature to assess the Indonesian Security Forces’ effectiveness in eradicating the group in light of the announcement of JI’s dissolution. Eliminating terrorist ideologies is a formidable task, as terrorists are inclined to inflict violence upon themselves. The sentiment of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict issue continues to drive the increasing presence of pro-Daesh media on social media. It is believed that the Indonesian Security Forces’ seizure of terrorist suspects is intended to thwart terrorist activities and efforts to re-strengthen terrorist groups in the Sulawesi region. In the interim, the Philippines is continuing to bolster their operations by employing a harsh approach through Focused Military Operations (FMO) to eliminate certain remaining terrorist groups, particularly DI and BIFF. This is evident in a sequence of conflicts between the terrorist organization and the Philippine Security Forces. The terrorist group’s defeat in the conflict is also likely to be significantly influenced by the deaths of senior leaders, as the majority of terrorist members are currently teenagers.

The influence of external media is a contributing factor to the increase in the terrorism threat in Malaysia, which has resulted in Malaysians becoming sympathizers and committing lone wolf attacks. The incident in Ulu Tiram underscores the potential for individuals who are motivated by the ideology of terrorism and are capable of conducting lone wolf attacks. The Royal Malaysia Police are believed to have prevented any unwanted incidents by apprehending terrorist suspects who had threatened the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and the Prime Minister, as well as individuals suspected of having connections to the Daesh group. The Ulu Tiram Police Station attack was a lone wolf act that did not involve the JI terrorist group. Nevertheless, the ideology of JI is still considered pertinent, and the group can be regarded as a sleeper cell that is capable of carrying out attacks when motivated by hateful sentiments. In this regard, the National Action Plan on Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism (NAPPCVE), the national strategy document for countering terrorism, is anticipated to be released. It is capable of implementing comprehensive preventive measures through the Whole of Government and Whole of Society (WOGOS) approach.

In summary, the threat of terrorism at the global and regional levels continues to be a source of concern, as evidenced by numerous incidents in Europe and Australia. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Daesh campaign “And Kill Them Wherever You Find Them” have prompted numerous countries to increase the level of terrorism threat and implement more stringent security measures, particularly during high-profile events such as the Olympics. The social media platforms continue to serve as a catalyst for terrorist organizations to recruit self-radicalized members to conduct lone wolf attacks. In order to effectively address this issue, it is imperative that each nation implement a PCVE awareness campaign. In Malaysia, the Royal Malaysia Police are believed to be capable of preventing any terrorist attacks through preemptive operations. However, if the primary cause is not effectively addressed by the authorities, it is conceivable that the Ulu Tiram attack will recur. Daesh is reportedly increasing the dissemination of propaganda in Malaysia by employing the Malaysian vernacular to appeal to sympathizers within the country. The risk of terrorist acts is assessed as “possible,” and the threat of terrorism in the country is presently moderate / Code Blue. Consequently, the dissemination of Daesh propaganda in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, should not be underestimated.

Quarterly Report: Terrorism Events And Developments In The First Quarter of 2024

Posted on by

The first quarter of Terrorism Watch 2024 explores the most recent events and developments pertaining to terror-related incidents in Southeast Asia and significant incidents worldwide from January to March 2024.

The ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been exploited by terrorist groups to provoke their supporters to carry out attacks on western interests around the world. The quote “And Kill Them Wherever You Find Them” has been used in Daesh’s global campaign against Jews and their allies since early January 2024.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is believed to be a persistent source of violence, as evidenced by the recent incident in Russia that resulted in numerous casualties. It is crucial to address this issue seriously in order to prevent the emergence of a global trend of hostility, such as Islamophobia and xenophobia, within Russia.

Indonesia’s proactive measures effectively suppressed terrorism in the country during an election period, resulting in no terrorist activity as opposed to past elections. Based on records, there were a minimum of nine instances of terrorist actions directly linked to elections in 2014, and over six occurrences were observed during the 2019 elections.

The prevalence of propaganda regarding terror threats against Malaysia is observed to be on the rise. Pro-Daesh media groups in the Middle East and Indonesia are making efforts to target Malaysian sympathisers and incite them to carry out lone wolf attacks against the assets and representatives of major world powers in Malaysia.

In conclusion, the first quarter of 2024 sees an increase in the global and regional threat that terrorism poses. The threat perception has shifted to incorporate the dissemination of narratives in cyberspace, particularly on social media. Countries, particularly in this region, must take drastic measures to mitigate the issue.

Global Trend

There are significant events in a number of countries around the world during the first quarter of 2024. The threat of terrorism at the global and regional levels has shown a significant increase, in addition to the latest trends in European and African countries. There is an increasing menace of terrorism, both on a local and worldwide scale, particularly in the aftermath of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Terrorist organizations, particularly Daesh, persist in utilizing social media as very efficient means for disseminating their ideology. Respective agencies such as Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) need to carry out periodic monitoring of social media content as well as video applications such as YouTube that are capable of threatening national security and can be blocked from being accessed by Malaysians if necessary.

The following are the highlights of  terrorism-related occurrences around the world:

Afghanistan

On 7 Jan 24, the terrorist organisation, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), has acknowledged their culpability for the detonation of a bus in Kabul, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and the injury of 14 more. The Afghanistan Security Forces determined that the explosion was a result of the placement of explosives on a bus in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood, which is predominantly inhabited by the Shia Hazara community.

ISKP appears to be targeting Shiism-affiliated organisations due to the heretical status of Shiism. Since August 2021, when the Taliban overthrew the government supported by the United States and terminated their insurgency, there has been a significant decline in the frequency of bombings and suicide attacks in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, terrorism continues to be a threat to the nation from a variety of armed organisations, ISKP included. ISKP targets the Shia community residing in Dasht-e-Barchi due to the Taliban’s inadequate security control in the region and the presence of this community. The attack unequivocally demonstrates whether ISKP members were killed or whether an attempt was made to eradicate the Shia ethnic group in Afghanistan through ethnic cleansing. Such conduct is anticipated to be maintained by ISKP as it serves as their method of operation to maintain Afghanistan’s instability and tarnish the reputation of the present Afghan government.

Pakistan

On 8 Jan 24, Mullah Hasan Akhund, the Interim Prime Minister of Afghanistan nominated by the Taliban, has held a meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the leader of Jamiat Ulama-I-Islam Fazl Party (JUI-F), in an attempt to alleviate the animosity between the two nations. The meeting convened in Kabul was arranged per the Afghanistan government’s request, and the visit of JUI-F was the first since the Taliban assumed control in 2021.

On 8 Jan 24, an explosive device has exploded on the roadside in close proximity to a van transporting police officers who were providing security for workers engaged in an anti-polio vaccination campaign in northern Pakistan. An explosion ensued following the initiation of an anti-polio campaign by the Government of Pakistan in Mahmud, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which was formerly under the control of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The explosion resulted in the demise of six law enforcement officers and inflicted injuries upon 10 additional individuals.

The meeting between the Government of Afghanistan and JUI-F is primarily aimed at engaging in discussions to identify effective solutions for a problem and resolve any misunderstandings between the two neighbouring countries. An ongoing source of conflict between the two nations is the repatriation of over half a million Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without legal authorization. Afghanistan regarded such approach as ineffective in resolving the situation and instead fostering mistrust.  The Pakistani government is apprehensive about the TTP’s presence in Afghanistan as they seek sanctuary from the Taliban regime. Nevertheless, Afghanistan has protested to this, asserting that it will not permit any terrorist organisation to utilise its territory as a launching pad for assaulting Pakistan. The tension between these two countries is unlikely to prompt any significant measures by the Afghanistan Taliban administration to ensure maximum border control and prevent it. Pakistan’s expulsion of Afghan people as a measure to combat terrorism is viewed as potentially causing humanitarian problems that adversely affect the country. The anti-polio programme frequently faces disruptions from terrorists, particularly the TTP, who perceive this immunisation drive as a Western scheme. This move is likely to be executed based on limited perspective and religious extremism, disregarding the opinions given by the experts of Pakistan. These actions exemplify their defence of the religion and rights of the Pakistani people, as well as their protection of the fundamental values that underpin their existence. Additionally, they are successfully garnering support from local individuals for their organisation, particularly among those who still harbour doubts or reservations regarding the vaccination campaign.

Russia

On 23 Mar 24, a total of 137 individuals lost their lives and 145 others sustained injuries in a terrorist assault that took place at Crocus City Hall in Moscow. The Daesh terrorist group has asserted accountability for the assault in a concise declaration released by the Daesh-associated news agency Amaq on the Telegram platform. The attackers, armed with guns and grenades, deliberately lit the building on fire, resulting in one of Moscow’s most severe acts of terrorism in the past two decades.

The attack occurred within a week after President Vladimir Putin’s landslide victory in the election. Evidence indicates that the president’s triumph in the nation is probable to be a contributing element to the occurrence. The Russian Security Forces successfully apprehended four foreign suspects, including individuals from Tajikistan. The probable perpetrator of this incident is ISIS-K (ISIS Khorosan) due to their track record of engaging in acts of terrorism in Russia over the past two years, and their frequent mention in President Putin’s propaganda as a subject of criticism. The ISIS-K terrorist group asserted accountability for the suicide attack at the Russian Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan in September 2022. On March 24, the US embassy in Russia cautioned American citizens to steer clear of major gatherings due to credible evidence indicating that ISIS-K had intentions to carry out attacks in Moscow by targeting such events. Russia is anticipated to enhance security measures in order to thwart terrorist strikes. This incident is anticipated to exacerbate the ongoing dispute between Russia and Ukraine, as the Russian President has accused the terrorist of attempting to seek refuge in Ukraine, a claim that Ukraine has refuted as baseless.

Somalia

7 Jan 24, The Somalia National Army (SNA), aided by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and local insurgents, has effectively eliminated 76 individuals affiliated with the Al-Shabaab extremist group. Additionally, numerous others were wounded during a two-day military operation conducted in the Mudug district. One of the casualties included a high-ranking leader of the Al-Shabaab extremist group. The operation conducted by the SNA has specifically targeted the strongholds of Al-Shabaab in central and southern Somalia. It has successfully demolished the bases and vehicles that are owned by the terrorists.

On 3 Feb 24, the SNA The Somalia National Army (SNA), with the assistance of local forces, has initiated a military campaign targeting Al-Shabaab in the village of Shabelow, located in the Mudug district. The conflict commenced when Al-Shabaab initiated an assault on a military installation within the urban area, utilising explosive devices and firearms. The SNA in collaboration with local troops, conducted an operation in which they discovered a cache of weaponry and successfully destroyed four trucks that belonged to the extremist group Al-Shabaab.

The operation has significantly affected the terrorist group Al-Shabaab, particularly in terms of morale, as they suffered substantial losses in terms of members, along with the destruction of their base and major injuries to several of its militants who were engaged in the battle. This indirectly hinders the terrorist group from temporarily executing any acts of terrorism in the region.  The Somali National Army (SNA) has intensified its military campaigns against the extremist organisation Al-Shabaab since July 2022 by closely collaborating with African nations within the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). This endeavour demonstrates the efficacy of global collaboration in combating terrorism, as well as the populace’s consciousness in striving for an improved quality of life. However, the strategic placement of military personnel in regulated regions is considered crucial to prevent the reassertion of power by terrorist insurgents. Close collaboration between the government and local insurgents is considered crucial in providing military training and weapons assistance. This partnership helps address the security vacuum in the volatile region.

Turkiye

On 3 Feb 24, a total of 34 foreign individuals affiliated with Daesh were apprehended during the anti-terrorism operation codenamed Cage-35. This operation was conducted simultaneously in seven provinces, namely Istanbul, Kocaeli, Yalova, Kayseri, Bursa, Duzce, and Yozgat. The operation commenced following an incident in which two assailants discharged firearms at Christians inside a church.

On 7 Feb 24, 10 of 15 suspected Daesh members have been apprehended by Turkish Security Forces during an anti-terrorism operation in three provinces centred on Istanbul. The operation is executed in a total of 23 distinct locations, eight districts in Istanbul, and one each in the provinces of Kocaeli and Yalova.

Since June 2023, Turkish officials have arrested 2086 individuals believed to be associated with the Daesh terrorist organisation. Recently, Turkish officials apprehended 25 individuals who are believed to have committed the act of shooting a man during a religious gathering in a church. The terrorist organisation known as Daesh has acknowledged that they are responsible for the attack. They have stated that the motive behind the attack was in accordance with the directives issued by Daesh authorities to specifically target individuals who identify as Jews and Christians. The ongoing war in the Middle East between Israel and Palestine is a significant contributing element to the emergence of the spirit of jihad among the adherents of the terrorist group. Turkiye is anticipated to persistently escalate extensive efforts to counteract the ideology and subsequent activities of terrorist organisations within the country, with the aim of managing security challenges. Daesh is currently facing significant challenges due to targeted actions against it, including the apprehension and elimination of several members by Turkish authorities. The organisation has the ability to revive itself by employing innovative strategies to disseminate its ideas and attract prospective members.

Terrorism Trends in Southeast Asia

Indonesia

On 9 Jan 24, Two emerging media conglomerates in Indonesia, Al-Qanishun and Al-Qosd, have recently begun translating posters and remarks from Abu Hudhayfa al-Ansari, the spokesperson for Daesh, with regards to the “And Kill Them Whenever You Find Them” campaign. These two Indonesian media outlets that support Daesh also translated posters created by Daesh’s worldwide media, such as Hadm Al-Aswar and Tala’ia al-Ansar Production, into the Indonesian language.

On 27 Jan 24, A total of 10 individuals suspected of being members of the Jamaah Islamiyah terrorist organisation have been apprehended in various locations around Central Java, Indonesia. The suspected terrorist is accused of participating in giving operational assistance to the JI group, which includes aiding their actions, harbouring sought or fugitive members, and soliciting donations. Furthermore, it is believed that they also offer logistical support by gathering firearms or sharp weapons to enhance the capabilities and skills of JI members.

The Pro Daesh media organisation in Indonesia is likely to continue prioritising their campaign with the motto “And Kill Them Wherever You Find Them.” The proliferation of Pro Daesh media groups is on the rise due to the campaign’s perceived ability to sway Daesh supporters across Southeast Asia. Concentrating on a “easy target” can have adverse consequences if the phone is answered by a supporter of Daesh from Malaysia. Terrorist groups are said to be targeting Indonesia’s 2024 General Election as an opportunity to disseminate extremist and radical ideology among the people. Based on records, there were a minimum of nine instances of terrorist actions directly linked to elections in 2014, and over six occurrences were observed during the 2019 elections. The Indonesia Security Forces’ proactive measure of detaining members of terrorist groups was deemed successful in preventing any disruptions during this year’s election, which occurred on February 14th.

The Philippines

On 3 Jan 24, Two intelligence operatives from the 51st Infantry Battalion (51IB) of the Army were fatally attacked in an ambush that took place in the town of Lininding, Munai, Lanao del Norte, Philippines. During the event, the three military intelligence agents were returning to the camp after successfully carrying out an intelligence operation in the neighbouring region when they were assaulted by unidentified armed individuals. At the scene, two out of the three agents, Raul Pabuaya and Murphy Delos Santos, were fatally wounded, while another member, Joenipher, successfully evaded the attack.

On 8 Dec, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) killed at least nine members of Dawlah Islamiyah (DI) in air and ground offensives carried out by the military. DI is the local and Arabic name for ISIS, the Middle Eastern terror group. DI had blamed the MILF for the military’s offensives against the Islamic State-aligned group which started after a confirmation that the group was recruiting people in Sitio Wata in Pagalungan.

On 10 Mar 24, Cpl Ricky Mendoza Gomez, a police intelligence officer stationed in Carmen, Cotabato province, was fatally assaulted in Santos City. An unidentified individual shot a participant of the advanced police intelligence networking proficiency training in the head and upper body using an M16 firearm when the victim was crossing the road in Barangay Sinawal. Members have already demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in apprehending numerous wanted terrorists among the ranks of the Dawlah Islamiya and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), who were implicated in lethal terrorist assaults.

The attack was believed to be connected to the retaliatory strike against the security operation carried out by the Philippine Security Forces, which resulted in the elimination of 12 members of the DI terrorist group on December 23. The Philippine Security forces are actively engaged in operations to apprehend all DI terrorists in the Philippines and ensure that their activities are entirely eradicated. The Philippine Security Forces have previously conducted many offensives against terrorist targets associated with Daesh through a Focused Military Operation (FMO) in order to prevent and eradicate the remaining militants in the country. During this period, multiple operations were conducted in the city of Lanao, which is considered a stronghold of the DI-Maute group. Specifically, these actions were place in Pantao Ragat, Poona Plagapo, and Munai. The offensive operation conducted to eradicate the DI network, which continues to pose a security risk in Maguindanao, is regarded as a crucial endeavour to prevent the DI’s retaliatory plan against the Philippine Security Forces. FMO is anticipated to persistently exert a significant influence on the DI group, which is progressively seeing a decline in backing from local people and sympathisers.

Malaysia

The national level of terrorist threat is now being effectively managed. The cumulative number of apprehensions in the nation pertaining to persons associated with Daesh terrorist and militant networks from 2013 to the present stands at around 562, comprising 196 non-nationals and 366 domestic residents.

On 27 Jan 24, Two Malaysian individuals who admitted to being involved in the terrorist explosions that resulted in the deaths of 202 individuals in Bali, Indonesia in 2002 have been given an extra five-year prison sentence. Earlier, the United States military court in Guantanamo convicted the two accused, identified as Farik Amin, 48, and Nazir Lep, 47, to a 23-year prison term. US military judge Lt. Col. Wesley A Braun has determined that the suspect may be released within five years due to the prosecutor’s incompetence in failing to meet a court deadline for providing evidence to the defence attorney during case preparation.

On 20 Feb 24, The Telegram group Usud Afriqiyah recently shared a collection of posters created by the Al Aan Foundation, a media entity associated with the Islamic State East Asia Province (ISEAP). The collection is titled “Just Terror Tactic“. A billboard has depicted a plan to launch an assault on three embassies in Malaysia: the United States, Russian, and Chinese embassies. Furthermore, this poster has also endorsed the campaign “And Kill Them Wherever You Find Them“.

On 23 Mar 24, The propaganda group of the Islamic State East Asia Province (ISEAP), known as the Al Aan Foundation, has just shared a warning poster indicating their intention to target the Tokyo Skytree in Japan and the Merdeka 118 Tower in Malaysia for a future attack. The image submitted features the backdrop of the Merdeka 118 Tower in Malaysia, accompanied by the Daesh flag and the message “We Will Arrive on Your Doorstep.” Therefore, continue to remain patient. We are also eagerly awaiting with you! The image in the background of the Tokyo Skytree features the flag of Daesh, along with a phrase printed in Japanese that translates to “Come the Army that brings the truth“.

Following the sentence by US government, both Malaysian individuals will participate in a deradicalization programme administered by the Malaysian government and will be subject to lifelong surveillance by national security officials. This demonstrates the Malaysian government’s serious approach in addressing the issue of terrorism, serving as a model and a cautionary tale for fellow Malaysians to resist being swayed by terrorist objectives and propaganda. The Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), in conjunction with the Royal Malaysian Police, must persist in shouldering the significant duty of preventing any new threats that may arise from this recent development, particularly in suppressing terrorist ideology among uniformed members. Moreover, religious institutions, which possess complete authority in Islamic matters, play a crucial role in addressing aspects of religious extremism. In terms of the overall role of the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Religious Corps of the MAF (KAGAT) is perceived as having the capacity to contribute to the planning of religious and spiritual activities. This includes initiatives like the Task Force PERISAI AKIDAH, which was previously implemented to provide education and clarification on the authentic Ahli Sunnah beliefs.

This particular instance of Daesh propaganda relating to Malaysia marks the first occurrence since 27 Feb 23, in which a pro-Daesh media unit has issued a poster targeting Malaysia. The billboard aims to urge Daesh supporters to attack Malaysia by featuring an image of the Petronas Twin Towers. An analysis of telegraph groups that disseminate information revealed that the majority of subscribers, who are members of these groups, are presumed to be from nations in the Middle East. Terrorist organisations are likely to manipulate the current Palestinian-Israeli conflict to incite their followers into launching attacks on Western targets globally. The phrase “And Kill Them Wherever You Find Them” has been employed by Daesh in their worldwide campaign targeting Jews and their supporters since the beginning of January 2024. Daesh’s narrative of their war, which is disseminated on social media by their networks and supporters, continues to have an impact on Muslims, particularly in the virtual realm. Hence, it is imperative to enhance surveillance conducted by the authorities, particularly the Malaysian Communications Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in cooperation with the RMP and other relevant security agencies, to effectively restrict public access to radical extremist websites that disseminate Daesh narratives within Malaysia. In Malaysia, Daesh’s impact is relatively insignificant compared to other nations in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, the current reception of Daesh’s campaign in Malaysia is not favourable, which can be attributed to the implementation of multiple awareness initiatives by different government ministries. However, despite this, the danger is still classified as high risk and surveillance of terrorism threat indicators continues intermittently.

Conclusion

The global and regional levels have seen a rise in incidences of terrorism during the first quarter of 2024, indicating a growing presence of extremism, radicalism, and terrorism. Countries like Afghanistan, Russia, Pakistan, Somalia, and Turkiye face persistent terrorism threats due to ongoing instability. Additionally, terrorist groups exploit Israel’s attacks on Palestine to incite lone wolf attacks, using the slogan “Kill Them Wherever You Find Them.” The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is believed to be a persistent source of violence, as evidenced by the recent incident in Russia that resulted in numerous casualties. It is crucial to address this issue seriously in order to prevent the emergence of a global trend of hostility, such as Islamophobia and xenophobia, within Russia. Turkiye remains proactive in countering terrorist threats by actively carrying out security operations along the Turkiye-Iraq-Syria border. The rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan are rooted in the activities of the TTP terrorist group, which exploits the vulnerabilities in border security measures of both nations. Pakistan’s decision to repatriate over 500,000 undocumented Afghan residents is not perceived as a viable solution, as it fosters distrust and exacerbates humanitarian concerns. This action has a detrimental effect on the country, which is already grappling with challenges in its recently established government.

The rising threat of terrorism in Southeast Asia demonstrates that Indonesia’s proactive measures effectively suppressed terrorism in the country during an election period, resulting in no terrorist activity as opposed to past elections. Despite an increase in social media activity by pro-Deash media, particularly leading up to the election date and in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it has been discovered that the arrest of terrorist suspects has effectively halted the terrorist group’s plans and instilled fear among members of other terrorist groups. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the government is actively implementing Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) programmes, such as the Enhanced – Comprehensive Local Integration Programme (E-CLIP), to prevent the occurrence of terrorism. The Philippines implemented a more aggressive strategy known as Focused Military Operations (FMO) to suppress terrorist activities. This method effectively dismantled the DI-maguid group and resulted in the elimination of numerous high-ranking leaders from the DI, BIFF, and KAS terrorist organisations.

The prevalence of propaganda regarding terror threats against Malaysia is observed to be on the rise. Pro-Daesh media groups in the Middle East and Indonesia are making efforts to target Malaysian sympathisers and incite them to carry out lone wolf attacks against the assets and representatives of major world powers in Malaysia. The act of provocation is likely motivated by the limited influence of Daesh in Malaysia, relative to other Southeast Asian countries. They aim to exploit the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, perceiving Malaysia as a vocal advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people. Daesh supporters persist in using these tactics as their modus operandi to pique the curiosity of Malaysians, who are increasingly cognizant of the current terrorism crisis.

In conclusion, the global and regional threat of terrorism is increasing as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Daesh’s campaign titled “And Kill Them Wherever You Find Them”. Terrorist organisations persistently employ social media platforms as a fundamental tool to disseminate their ideology and enlist individuals to execute acts of terrorism independently. Each incidence influences the actions of specific groups to perpetrate more acts in different locations, motivated by the same feelings of hatred based on Islamophobia and xenophobia. These occurrences will continue to happen as long as the involved parties are influenced by religious sensitivity and racial feeling. If the countries experiencing this crisis do not handle it wisely through CVE awareness programmes, the situation would deteriorate. In Malaysia, it is imperative for the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) and the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP) to collaborate closely in order to effectively monitor and prohibit the dissemination of any violent content within the country. This proactive approach is crucial in preventing any untoward situations from occurring. The dissemination of Daesh propaganda in Southeast Asia should not be underestimated, as the country’s potential terrorist threat level is currently moderate / Code Blue and the risk of terrorist acts is assessed as “possible”.