Dr Rohan Gunaratna said the recruitment of Malaysian youth, including teenagers, was a recent phenomena with the advent of the IS.
“IS ideology is very appealing to teenagers in schools and universities.
“As such, the religious authorities in Malaysia and the Education Ministry, including schools and universities, should promote moderation and counter extreme ideologies. They have to work together to spread moderation,” he told FMT.
Rohan is head of the International Centre for Terrorism Research and Political Violence (ICPVTR) at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Singapore.
He also suggested that religious bodies like the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) promote the message that IS did not represent Islam.
“It is an invaluable body which could send the message that IS does not promote Islam,” he said, adding that there were also many ‘Gagak Hitam’ ( a local IS-linked organisation) members in Syria, Iraq and other parts of the world.
Rohan was responding to Sunday night’s arrest of 16 suspected members of the IS terrorist network, aged between 20 and 38, in raids conducted by police in six states.
Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the raids took place in Selangor, Kelantan, Perak, Kedah, Penang and Sabah between Sept 21 and Oct 6. Fourteen of the 16 arrested were part of the “Gagak Hitam” cell led by militant Mohamad Wanndy Mohamad Jedi.
The IGP also said those nabbed in the raids had taken an online oath of allegiance to Mohamad Wanndy.
Rohan said Kumpulan Gagak Hitam has three main characteristics, the first of which involved the recruitment of teenagers and youths who are highly impressionable.
“If the religious and education authorities do not start working together, there will be attacks on Malaysian soil by youths from all backgrounds, regardless of whether they come from rich, poor, educated and non-educated families. They are highly impressionable,” he cautioned.
He added that the Kumpulan Gagak Hitam was also responsible for hoisting black flags in areas that did not have CCTV cameras.
“This is their way of not getting caught.”
Rohan added the first ever IS-linked attack at Movida nightclub in July showed that despite counter-terrorism operations, IS ideology had spread and established a regional presence in Southeast Asia.
He said this showed that the terrorist threat in Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, was serious and imminent.
He also proposed that the governments of the region collaborate to manage and neutralise the terrorist threat to their countries and citizens.
To date, Malaysian police have detained more than 200 individuals, including 27 foreigners, for suspected links with terror groups.
Last month, Malaysian authorities revoked the passports of 68 citizens who were identified as they were planning to leave the country to join the IS.
The authorities believe more than 110 Malaysians have left for Syria since 2013 to join the IS. 21 were confirmed killed there while eight have returned and are undergoing rehabilitation.