As an ordinary citizen of our beloved nation I am deeply perplexed by our leaders’ communication strategies in addressing national security concerns.
I firmly believe that the Ulu Tiram attack should unequivocally be classified as a terrorist attack.
Whether the perpetrator acted alone or had familial ties to Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) is inconsequential.
Moreover, an assault on the police officers and the station should be seen as an assault on the sovereignty of our country and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The planning and execution of the attack possess the characteristics commonly associated with terrorist attacks, as acknowledged by experts in the field of terrorism.
Regrettably, our leaders have downplayed this incident by refraining from labelling it as a terrorist attack.
While they may have their reasons for softening this incident, I believe that it could potentially send the wrong message to both potential terrorists and the international community, suggesting that we are not taking the situation seriously.
The global community is closely observing our response to this issue, including foreign investors.
We must not repeat the communication mishaps that occurred during the handling of the MH370 aircraft disappearance and the Lahad Datu terrorist attack a few years ago.
In 2013, the Malaysians were left astounded when Sulu terrorists managed to infiltrate the nation's territorial waters, specifically at Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu.
This audacious act eventually led to a violent clash on March 1 in Kampung Tanduo, resulting in the tragic loss of 10 Malaysian security personnel and 68 Sulu terrorists.
This bold attack can be likened to the cross-border assault that occurred in Mumbai, India, in 2008, orchestrated by the militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Identify and eradicate
Hence, it is of utmost importance to identify and eradicate the masterminds, supporters, and sympathisers involved in this assault, as they present a direct threat to the sovereignty of Malaysia.
It is not suitable to categorise these incidents, including the Ulu Tiram attack, as mere confrontations or intrusions.
It is essential to demonstrate to the global community that we are addressing this matter decisively in accordance with established international standards, thereby upholding good governance and bolstering our country's standing on the world stage.
In June 2020, a terrorist attack took place in Indonesia similar to the Ulu Tiram incident. A member of Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) South Kalimantan attacked the South Daha police, resulting in the death of one officer and injuries to another.
The attacker had an Islamic State flag and a written ultimatum. The alleged mastermind was captured by Densus 88 in Banjar Baru, showing the Indonesian police's ability to inform the public effectively about the incident.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the Ulu Tiram attack highlights the ongoing risk of terrorism.
He warned against extremist ideologies spreading in Singapore, especially among the youth, and urged the public to report any suspicious behaviour to authorities promptly.
Singapore is increasing security measures, including at checkpoints, to address the growing concern of self-radicalisation.
Singapore's and Indonesia’s approaches to managing national security concerns differ significantly from those of Malaysia.
This disparity in response and communication strategies may give rise to heightened unease and ambiguity within the global community.
Malaysia, on the other hand, adopts a more discreet approach to handling such matters, which may lead to its own justifications.
Address Ulu Tiram attack
In his recent speech, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the government will not tolerate extremists and troublemakers involved in the recent violent incidents.
He also emphasised the importance of maintaining peace and a strong economy in the country.
Anwar should specifically address the Ulu Tiram terrorist attack. This would help improve security measures and intelligence efforts to identify the masterminds behind this terrible act.
Additionally, it is crucial for all political factions, as well as NGOs and religious authorities, to come together and condemn this horrific attack.
The statement from the Johor fatwa committee last Friday about the Ulu Tiram terrorist has received high praise. The committee took a strong stance by ensuring that the terrorist's body was buried separately from other graves, discouraging the public from imitating his terrible actions.
Furthermore, the committee ruled that funeral prayers can only take place at the terrorist's family's home or the hospital where his body was taken, rather than at a mosque or surau.
This decision strongly condemns the suspect's actions, especially the killing of the two brave police officers who were protecting the nation's security. It sends a powerful message to the public, urging them not to support or sympathise with the suspect for his crimes.
It firmly communicates that such actions and activities are not tolerated within the country.
Conflicting statements
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain announced that the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) has been used to apprehend the five family members of the deceased terrorist.
The IGP clarified that although the father had connections with JI, the main suspect is not linked to the organisation.
However, the conflicting statements from the prime minister, home minister, Johor fatwa committee, and the IGP have caused further confusion among the public regarding the incident in Ulu Tiram.
It is important to emphasise the need for consistent statements when addressing national security matters.
First, it is essential for everyone, including politicians, religious authorities, security, and intelligence agencies, to treat this incident as a national security issue.
By doing so, it demonstrates a collective effort to address and suppress future perpetrators as a united nation.
Secondly, unifying the statements regarding this incident will send a clear and strong message to potential wrongdoers that we are prepared to face and counter their actions.
Thirdly, it is crucial to allow professional law enforcement agencies, such as the Royal Malaysia Police, to handle the investigation and make official statements without any interference from politicians who may have ulterior motives.
Furthermore, it is imperative to emphasise that this incident should be solely treated as a national security issue and not be overshadowed by other unrelated matters.
Finally, it is important to maintain transparency by sharing the progress of the investigation with the public and the international community.
This demonstrates our commitment to handling the matter with utmost care and diligence to preserve the peace and security of our nation.
In conclusion, when dealing with national security issues, it is crucial to prioritise the national interest over any personal or political agenda.
It is time to move away from outdated mentalities and focus on safeguarding the sovereignty of our nation. - Mkini
R PANEIR SELVAM is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, 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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