KUALA LUMPUR - Terrorist networks have rapidly shifted into online spaces, including gaming platforms and private messaging applications, making the self-radicalisation of young people an increasingly serious terrorism threat, according to experts.
Southeast Asian History and Defence Studies researcher Enzo Sim said modern terror networks no longer depended primarily on physical recruitment camps, with extremist groups increasingly exploiting digital platforms to reach vulnerable youths.
"Today, the terror networks have swiftly and rapidly evolved into the online space.
"They have already infiltrated the gaming environment, for example, the popular game Roblox. And also, they’ve moved into semi-encrypted private chat messages, including spaces like WhatsApp, to radicalise youths,” he said on Bernama TV’s The Nation programme titled '9/11: 25 Years On: What Did We Learn?' on Friday.
Sim said young people could be gradually radicalised online without having any direct connection to traditional terrorist organisations, adding that the threat had also expanded beyond what was traditionally viewed as "jihadist extremism”.
He said this could include fascination with violence, misogyny, ethno-nationalism, separatism, far-right extremism, and far-left extremism.
Assistant Professor Dr Ahmad El-Muhammady of the Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) said the changing nature of radicalisation required a broader understanding of why individuals become vulnerable to extremist narratives.
According to him, political or religious affiliation was no longer necessarily required for radicalisation, as individuals could instead be influenced by exposure to violence, psychological vulnerability, and experiences such as bullying.
However, he said that legitimate anger over international conflicts and perceived injustice should not automatically be labelled as extremism, particularly in relation to the Gaza conflict.
Reflecting on the Sept 11, 2001 attacks, Sim said the attacks were the initial shock, but it was the international response that ultimately transformed the global security landscape.
According to him, political or religious affiliation was no longer necessarily required for radicalisation, as individuals could instead be influenced by exposure to violence, psychological vulnerability and experiences such as bullying.
"Eventually, it was how we responded to it that really changed the world that we're living in right now,” he said, pointing to tighter aviation security and closer monitoring of terrorist financing.
On Malaysia, Sim said the country should remain vigilant without allowing fear to dictate its counterterrorism policies, while El-Muhammady stressed the importance of prevention, rehabilitation and strengthening values and self-identity as part of the country’s broader efforts to prevent violent extremism. - BERNAMA