05/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 5, 2025

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PETALING JAYA: Experts have raised concerns over the increasingly covert and persuasive methods used by extremist groups to radicalise Malaysian youths, particularly university students, through digital platforms and religious manipulation. Universiti Utara Malaysia’s counter terrorism and violent extremism law specialist Dr Mukhriz Mat Rus highlighted statistics showing that youths are the most vulnerable demographic. “Between 2013 and 2023, 85% of individuals arrested for terrorism-related offences in Malaysia were under 40, with the majority aged between 18 and 29. “This represents a worrying trend. Radicalisation is not an event; it is a process often driven by emotional distress, social isolation and ideological grooming. “The path to violent extremism often starts with non-violent radical ideologies, believing that those who disagree with Selangor to brief lawmakers on gas explosion SHAH ALAM: The Selangor government has scheduled a briefing this Monday for parliamentary and state assembly members to explain the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, Subang Jaya. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the decision to hold the special briefing, which will be open to both government and opposition lawmakers, was made during the pre-council meeting with state assembly members on Thursday. “I have also requested the state assembly speaker to allow the state government to explain the matter at the upcoming Selangor State Legislative Assembly session. “The state government upholds the principles of responsibility, transparency and accountability, and fully honours the principles and mandate of the people,” he said in a Facebook post. The Second Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Selangor State Legislative Assembly will convene from July 7 to 18. On June 30, Selangor police announced at a special press conference that no elements of mischief, sabotage or negligence were identified that could have caused the damage to the gas pipeline and triggered the explosion on April 1. – Bernama New Appeals Court chief appointed PUTRAJAYA: Federal Court Judge Datuk Zabariah Mohd Yusof will assume the powers and responsibilities as Court of Appeal (COA) president following the retirement of Tan Sri Abang Iskandar Abang Hashim. In a letter dated June 3, Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim – who is currently carrying out the duties of chief justice – said Zabariah’s appointment, effective yesterday, was made under Section 9(3)(a) of the Court of Judicature Act 1964. Zabariah is to exercise the powers and duties of the Court of Appeal president until the position is permanently filled. A copy of the letter was also sent to Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Sebli, Federal Court Chief Registrar Datuk Zamri Bakar and Court of Appeal Registrar Jumirah Marjuki. – Bernama Ű BY FAIZ RUZMAN newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Militant group funding IS operations in Syria, Bangladesh

o Police arrest 36 foreign nationals using Malaysia as base for recruitment and propaganda

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group (BRMG), recently dismantled by police, is believed to have been raising funds and recruiting members for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Bangladesh. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the group collected funds by charging an annual membership fee of RM500 per person, along with other voluntary contributions based on members’ financial means. Initial investigations revealed the group had between 100 and 150 members, all Bangladeshi nationals working in sectors such as manufacturing, construction and

online were made cell leaders to expand the group’s influence. New members were recruited in stages, starting with screening and later forming elite groups,” he said. Investigations so far indicate no Malaysians were involved in the group, which is believed to have been active in the country for about a year. Although the group was not planning attacks in Malaysia, it used the country as a base to raise funds and recruit members. Investigations are ongoing with support from Bangladeshi authorities and Interpol. Mohd Khalid said police first detected the group’s activities through social media accounts operated by Bangladeshi nationals using Malaysian IP addresses to spread IS ideology. The first phase of the operation, conducted on April 28, led to the arrest of six individuals in Selangor and revealed the structure of BRMG, which was based in Johor. The second phase, carried out on May 7, resulted in 14 more arrests in Johor, including the group’s leader. The third and final phase, conducted from June 19 to 21, saw the arrest of another 16 individuals, effectively dismantling BRMG’s main network operating in Malaysia, Bernama reported. Of the 36 suspects aged between 25 and 35, five have been charged under Section 6A of the Penal Code, while 16 are still held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 for further investigation and prosecution. Mohd Khalid said suspects found to have minimal involvement in the group’s activities will be deported to their home countries. He added that national security remains the police’s top priority and urged Malaysians to remain alert and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. likelihood model, which relies on emotional cues rather than solid arguments. “To counter this, universities must include digital literacy and critical thinking in curricula, and awareness campaigns should use relatable student influencers,” she advised. Meanwhile, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia cybersecurity expert Dr Zubaile Abdullah said extremist groups have adapted to technological surveillance by using mainstream platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, as well as encrypted channels on WhatsApp and Telegram. Zubaile called for cross-field collaborations between digitalisation experts, Islamic studies scholars and law enforcement agencies to increase the chances of curbing extremist influencers. “Blocking or deleting accounts isn’t enough. Only a broader approach can stop these subtle influences from reaching our youth through their screens,” he said.

Police are still investigating the total amount of funds channelled by the group to IS networks in Syria and Bangladesh. He said the group spread IS propaganda, conducted baiah (oaths of allegiance) and organised secret activities such as religious classes and members’ meetings using these platforms. “Those who pledged allegiance

petrol stations across Malaysia. “The funds collected were then transferred abroad using e-wallet applications and international money transfer services,” he said at a press conference yesterday. Mohd Khalid added that the group also used social media platforms and messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram to recruit members.

Mohd Khalid said investigations revealed the group had about 150 members, all Bangladeshi nationals, working in sectors such as manufacturing, construction and petrol stations across Malaysia. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Experts warn of covert tactics in radicalising youths online

you deserve to be punished or even eliminated. “This is what separates terrorism from ordinary crime. Extremist violence is rooted in belief systems that justify actions through warped ideologies,” Mukhriz said during a seminar at Masjid Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah on June 30. He noted three local cases involving university-age individuals: in one incident around 2014, a young woman was arrested at KL International Airport en route to Syria, recruited to marry a Malaysian man linked to Islamic State. The other cases included a 19-year old involved in an online group sharing bomb-making guides using harmful substances such as potassium nitrate and a postgraduate student in Islamic studies caught possessing extremist materials, with a radicalised lecturer acting as the supervisor. Echoing similar concerns, contemporary Islamic studies expert from Universiti Teknologi Mara Dr Faridah Mohd Sairi explained that

volunteering, organisation, servitude and religious understanding,” she said. She also encouraged dialogues among students from various backgrounds in an atmosphere of knowledge sharing, not divisive debate, involving parties such as the Home Ministry and Jakim to provide better clarification on legal frameworks and accurate religious knowledge. From a mass media perspective, a communications department specialist from International Islamic University Malaysia noted that social media’s algorithmic design makes it an ideal breeding ground for extremist propaganda. “Youths are more drawn to short form content such as reels and stories. When these messages come from attractive or seemingly credible sources, the lack of critical thinking skills among younger users makes them more vulnerable,” she said. She warned that extremist groups leverage persuasive communication models such as the elaboration

extremist recruiters often distort religious texts to appear legitimate. “Rhetoric such as ‘true jihad’ and ‘Islam in its purest form’ is used to emotionally provoke young minds. These narratives reject traditional scholars, painting them as outdated or weak. “This appeals to youths who are disillusioned or seeking purpose, especially when packaged in emotionally charged sermons or viral TikTok content,” she told theSun in a written statement. Faridah recommended an emphasis on affective domain values in higher education curricula for Muslim students. This domain focuses on how learners engage with emotions, values, appreciation, enthusiasm, motivation and attitudes. “It should not be limited only to social science subjects but also included in science and technology fields. The rubrics developed should emphasise student performance in demonstrating values such as cooperation, trust,