ICC Note: According to the chief of counterterrorism division in Malaysia, more women are being radicalized by Islamic State militants to initiate attacks in Malaysia. They have also begun to incite others to do the same. In Southeast Asia, women and children are increasingly radicalized and mobilized by terrorists. Many turned from silent sympathizers to active perpetrators.

07/24/2018 Malaysia (Channel News Asia) – More women are being radicalised by Islamic State (IS) militants to carry out attacks in Malaysia, said Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, head of Special Branch counterterrorism division, on Tuesday (Jul 24).

According to Ayob, female IS suspects have also begun to instigate others into carrying out attacks in Malaysia.

“In the past, most of the women were arrested because they played a secondary role as supporters to their husbands – collecting money, propagating salafi ideology. Some managed to go to Syria,” said Ayob.

“Now they have moved to phase two. They are radicalised and have started to instigating others to conduct attacks in Malaysia,” he added.

In light of this, the Malaysian police are on the alert to this rising threat.

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR GENERAL ELECTION TERROR PLOT

On May 9, during the 14th general election in Malaysia, the police counter-terrorism unit picked up a 51-year-old housewife outside Kuala Lumpur in Selangor.

The intelligence gathered suggested that the woman had planned to load gas cylinders in her car, and ram her vehicle into voters at a polling station in Puchong, Ayob said.

“This is the first case. She planned to put gas cylinders in her car boot. She got the idea from what happened in Paris,” said Ayob.

The woman was masking her communications over WhatsApp in a chat group titled: “Makan Makan dgn Kak Nor” or “Eat with Kak Nor”, Ayob revealed, adding that there were about 20 people in the chat group.

“We are very concerned about this lone wolf and wolf pack because anyone can be inspired to carry out attacks. You can learn about making a bomb or IED (improvised explosive device) through social media, Telegram or WhatsApp, download it, and learn how to make an IED,” added Ayob.

Speaking at a counterterror summit in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Ayob added that since 2013, more than 415 terror suspects have been arrested in Malaysia. Of those, 180 were charged, 140 convicted and 106 were released.

…

For interviews with Gina Goh, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].