Two days ago, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged the police to capture the masterminds behind the recent attack on a police station in Johor and ensure that they face legal consequences.
Emphasising the government’s unwavering commitment to peace, he underscored the non-negotiable stance on this matter.
Additionally, he highlighted the paramount importance of safeguarding the lives of the citizens, asserting that any advancements or achievements hold little significance if tranquillity is not upheld.
Although I appreciate his statement regarding this issue, I’m disheartened by his failure to acknowledge the fundamental cause of the problem, which is a matter of national security.
It is crucial to understand that this attack should not be viewed as an isolated incident, as it reveals a deeper and more significant problem that the government must address with utmost seriousness.
Moreover, it is imperative for our government to officially designate this incident solely as a terrorist attack, without any alternative labels.
Doing so will instil a profound sense of assurance and guidance for the intelligence and security agencies in Malaysia, enabling them to effectively dismantle the resurging terrorist organisation known as the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI).
Furthermore, on Friday, the police apprehended two individuals for trying to enter Istana Negara. They were caught with a machete in their vehicle.
Ulu Tiram terrorist attack
Prior to the Ulu Tiram terrorist incident, we had one terrorist attack in Puchong, back in 2016. It was referred to as the Movida Bar attack and it involved religious extremist groups.
Following the incident, the police initiated a crackdown on supporters, sympathisers, and terrorists associated with known terror organisations in Malaysia.
Several individuals were successfully prosecuted in court as a result. However, in recent years, there has been a decrease in the visibility of investigations and prosecutions targeting individuals linked to terrorist groups and their activities.
This decline in visibility could potentially be a contributing factor to the resurgence of terrorist organisations like JI, as the erroneous beliefs deeply rooted within the members of these groups are reignited.
According to Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the Ulu Tiram attack seems to have been perpetrated by a lone wolf.
However, it is plausible that this individual may have emerged from a sleeper cell, operating alongside other members who function independently.
Surprisingly, the police have not classified them as high-risk individuals in their investigative scope, which is quite perplexing considering their previous proactive approach in addressing similar issues.
While the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing in the UK and the 2013 Boston bombing in the US are often categorised as lone-wolf terrorist attacks, investigations into these incidents unveiled the presence of handlers who provided guidance until the final moments when the attacks were carried out, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives.
Hence, it is imperative for politicians to refrain from interfering in the work of professionals such as the police when it comes to addressing national security concerns.
It is crucial to grant the security forces complete autonomy and freedom to carry out investigations without any external influence.
This will enable the police to effectively conclude the investigation by uncovering the full network of a terrorist organisation such as JI and apprehending all terrorists, including the main operatives, who are active both within and beyond the nation’s borders.
Several categories
The prevailing pattern of terrorist attacks can be categorised into several aspects.
Firstly, there is a rise in lone wolf attacks, where individuals carry out acts of terrorism independently.
Secondly, these attacks often involve the use of non-conventional weapons, as exemplified by the Ulu Tiram terrorist attack where a machete was initially employed.
Thirdly, the perpetrators tend to be self-radicalised and self-financed.
Fourthly, these terrorists are often perceived as non-threatening until the actual attack occurs.
Lastly, the identities of their handlers are effectively concealed and cannot be traced.
Then, a question must be asked - why was that specific police station targeted and what motivated the terrorist to carry out an attack early in the morning?
One potential explanation, as highlighted by the Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain is that the terrorist’s objective in targeting this station was to acquire the weapons stored there.
This scenario prompts serious inquiries into how the terrorist obtained knowledge regarding the presence of weapons in this particular police station, as well as who may have provided such information to him or his associates.
Furthermore, it is essential to consider whether the terrorist conducted a reconnaissance mission prior to the actual attack and whether any suspicious activities were captured by CCTV cameras within the police station before the incident occurred.
Terrorism is evolving
Terrorism is an ever-changing threat that poses a global security concern, requiring constant vigilance from all nations to ensure the safety of their citizens.
We cannot assume that our country is immune to terrorist attacks.
The United Kingdom learned this lesson the hard way when they experienced the devastating London bombing in 2007 due to a similar mindset among their politicians.
Unfortunately, I have observed a similar mindset among some of our own politicians when it comes to dealing with terrorist groups.
It is crucial for them to recognise that this is a matter of national security, and they have a responsibility to protect the peace and well-being of all Malaysians.
National security should always be a top priority, and no one should be exempt from the law. It is important to remember that a terrorist will always be a terrorist.
In my opinion, hardcore terrorists cannot be rehabilitated, and there is no guarantee that they will not return to their violent ways. They pose a constant danger to our society and nation.
And the Ulu Tiram terrorist attack demonstrates their willingness to carry out attacks in Malaysia, indicating that the threat is very real. - Mkini
R PANEIR SELVAM is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd (ARRESCON), a think tank specialising in strategic national and geo-political matters.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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