SHAH ALAM, Jan 13 — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), to safeguard national security and public order, continues to surveil extremist and militant groups that exploit religion to justify violence, said Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay.
He noted that Malaysia has faced real and serious threats from regional terrorist networks, particularly Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), which sought to establish an “Islamic state” across Southeast Asia through violent means including suicide attacks.
“Since December 2001, police intelligence operations have successfully uncovered JI’s regional organisational structure and thwarted multiple planned attacks targeting Malaysia, Singapore and the United States.
“JI justified violence, including suicide operations, by misusing religious concepts and narratives. Such ideology is clearly against Islamic teachings and Malaysia’s democratic system,” he said in a statement.
Ayob said while most suicide attacks linked to JI and affiliated groups such as Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) occurred in Indonesia, Malaysian operatives were involved in planning attacks on strategic targets in the Klang Valley and Singapore, as well as overseas plots linked to Al-Qaeda.
“Close cooperation between JI and Al-Qaeda played a significant role in radicalising members, recruiting suicide operatives and shaping attack methods, with several key figures having received training in Al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan.
“The success of the Special Branch in conducting large-scale operations under the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) from December 2001 prevented these plans from materialising in Malaysia,” he said.
Ayob stressed that attempts to overthrow the Malaysian government through violent jihad are unacceptable and contradict the nation’s constitutional framework, which allows for political change through democratic elections.
“Continuous monitoring and early intervention against extremist ideologies that manipulate religion are essential to ensure the safety and harmony of the country,” he said, adding that any beliefs or movements contrary to Ahli Sunnah Wal Jamaah principles must be firmly addressed.
Ayob reaffirmed PDRM’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and inter-agency cooperation to prevent the resurgence of extremist threats and to maintain peace and stability nationwide.
