KUALA LUMPUR: The Islamic State (IS) group is increasing its focus on Malaysia with more mention of the country in its latest propaganda magazine Dabiq.
In the 14th issue of Dabiq, focused mostly on Egypt-based organisation Ikhwanul Muslimin as the latest in their ever-expanding target list, IS mentions Malaysia as among the countries labelled as Tawaghit (those who worship other than Allah).
Federal police Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (SB-CTD) chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said this would potentially increase terrorism threats against Malaysia.
“IS had been labelling all countries that practise democracy and election as Taghut, worshipping man-made constitutions, thus saying that the countries are apostate nations and the blood of its people is halal for shedding.
“For Malaysian authorities, especially SB-CTD, this is not something that is new as we have encountered the same ideology — Salafi Jihadi — when dealing with other terror groups like Jemaah Islamiyah and al-Qaeda.
“In the latest issue of Dabiq, IS listed comprehensive allegations to ‘justify’ their targeting of Ikhwanul Muslimin because for them (IS), any political party, organisation and Islamic movement that is involved in politics and elections is considered apostate,” he told the New Straits Times yesterday.
The Dabiq list of “Tawaghit nations” include Afghanistan, Iraq, Algeria, the Philippines, Somalia, Yemen, Tunisia, Libya, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Egypt, all of which practised democracy in their systems.
Ayob said IS suspects nabbed in the nationwide crackdown against terrorism activities had also revealed the same thing.
He said the mention of Malaysia in Dabiq — the second time following its 13th issue in January — might have significant impact on activities by IS symphatisers here.
“Now, we are waiting to see what kind of impact this might translate to. They recently struck in Indonesia, and the authorities here have to be more vigilant of what IS sympathisers are planning to do.”
The second reason Malaysia was listed as a target, said Ayob, was that the country had been, allegedly, practising bid’ah (heresy), including the practice of visiting graves which IS claimed was an act of worshipping the dead.