KUALA LUMPUR: Ipoh Timor member of parliament Howard Lee Chuan How has called for a multifaceted approach to address the surge in extremist movements and violent crimes.
He said the recent incidents highlight the urgent need to address the root causes of extremism and the rise of xenophobic and supremacist narratives in public discourse.
These include the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station and the capture of two men with parang in Istana Negara.
"The surge in extremist movements and violent crimes is not an isolated phenomenon but a continuation of a worrying pattern,"
"An elected MP narrowly escaping death by arson and the inflammatory rhetoric from a senior academic are just a few examples of the escalating situation," he said in a Facebook posting today.
Lee pointed to the proliferation of racially charged and ethno-religious supremacist narratives in public discourse, which he described as increasingly disconcerting.
"These incendiary narratives, often disguised as religious doctrine or cultural preservation, are spreading through WhatsApp groups and social media, widening divisions and fostering mistrust among Malaysia's diverse communities.
"Political operatives and organisations exploiting ethnic and religious identities for political gain are deepening these tensions, creating an environment conducive to extremism."
Drawing on international examples, Lee highlighted successful de-radicalisation programmes from Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
"Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Nayef Centre for Counseling and Advice and the 'Sakinah Campaign' have shown significant success in reducing recidivism among radicalised individuals.
"Indonesia's 'Deradikalisasi' campaign offers comprehensive rehabilitation programmes that address both ideological and social factors contributing to radicalisation."
Lee proposed a five-point plan to address the surge in extremist movements and violent crimes in Malaysia:
* Legislation Against Hate Speech: Implement laws specifically targeting hate speech and incitement to violence, protecting freedom of expression while curbing harmful speech.
* Comprehensive Deradicalisation Programmes: Invest in programmes offering religious counselling, psychological support, vocational training, and community reintegration to rehabilitate individuals influenced by or under the influence of extremist ideologies and prevent recidivism.
* Educational Initiatives: Emphasise values of multiculturalism, tolerance, and mutual respect in educational curricula to build a resilient Malaysian identity.
* Community Engagement: Collaborate with religious leaders, scholars, and NGOs to promote moderate, inclusive interpretations of religion and foster social harmony.
* Domestic Research on Terrorism and Radicalisation: Scale up the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism (SEARCCT) with more funding and integration into domestic counter-terrorism efforts.
"By tackling the root causes of extremism and propagating an inclusive and tolerant public discourse, Malaysia can cultivate a safer and more cohesive nation for all its citizens.
"Ultimately, the age-old adage of 'stronger together' has never been more important, with these undercurrents of hate spilling out to the fore.
"The very fabric of our peaceful and harmonious pluralistic nation is seeing the beginnings of an existential attack. We must come together to do nothing less than nipping it in the bud," he said.