A FEW days ago, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid pointed out that his ministry had zero tolerance towards Islamic State militant activities among teachers and students.
He further said teachers could play a proactive role by educating their students on atrocities done by IS militants.
He also wanted a curriculum to be developed on IS threats which can be taught in schools.
Earlier last month, two of three United Kingdom (UK) schoolgirls (Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abasa, 15) left their homes and reportedly married IS fighters in Syria.
According to the Guardian newspaper the three girls were probably recruited by a young woman,
Aqsa Mahmood, through the social media. Aqsa, it was learnt, was born in Scotland and had been residing in Syria since 2013.
The disturbing question is, how did they go undetected by their family, friends, teachers and the authorities in the UK? There’s no answer to that.
IS is so elusive and noxious.
By showing interesting videos with easy and attractive language, IS recruiters can brainwash people especially the young.
For the girls who were living a comfortable life in the UK but were willing to move to war-torn places like Syria and Iraq, some overwhelming aspects must have convinced them to make such a big decision.
Similarly in Malaysia, we have everything here, but there are still Malaysians who are attracted to the IS cause.
Again, the question, why?
The education minister’s call is a move in the right direction.
We need to educate our teachers and students on IS and national security issues.
However, the curriculum that the ministry wants to develop should not demonise any religion or
persons but positively address the root causes, and the benefits of not involving oneself in such terrorist groups.
Additionally, the ministry also needs to consider reviving the Civics subject in primary and secondary schools, to inculcate patriotism among students.
I believe the absence of patriotism is one of the key elements why young Malaysians are attracted to IS, whose intention is to destroy our core values and the nation as a whole.
The ministry must engage the Parent-Teacher Associations by holding continuous dialogues on IS, and involve, besides parents and teachers, friends and relatives, who can also benefit from the dialogue.
This should be a continuous process.
In addition, Rukun Tetangga and housing associations can play important roles by having various activities involving residents and their children to educate on the dangers of IS.
They can engage the help of Special Branch Counter Terrorism Department (E8) to conduct role-play
activities to identify and subsequently inform the relevant authorities on suspicious behaviour of people within their neighbourhoods.
IS is always evolving. The police have detained more than 200 suspected IS militants but the danger still exists.
The recent video to call for
attacks on Malaysia by a suspected terrorist in Syria, and the attack
in Puchong, has indicated
that IS has declared war on Malaysia.
Therefore, preventive laws like Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), among other measures, are necessary to tackle IS threats.
R. PANEIR SELVAM,
Kuala Lumpur