New Face Of Terrorism And Malaysia S Emerging Risk

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When Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his deep sorrow over the deadly blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, his words resonated beyond sympathy for the victims.
His condemnation of such acts of terror was a statement of principle that violence against innocents is never justifiable, no matter its cause or context.
Yet, beneath his compassion lies an important warning: terrorism today has evolved beyond the familiar image of armed radicals or religious fanatics. It has entered a new, more insidious phase, one where professionals, educated individuals with status and legitimacy, become silent enablers of extremism.
In this modern era, terrorism no longer operates solely through the gun or the bomb. It thrives through systems of trust - financial systems, educational institutions, charities, and corporations.
These are the same systems managed and occupied by professionals: doctors, accountants, engineers, lecturers, executives, and researchers.
Deadly blast near Delhi’s Red FortThese individuals have access to credibility, networks, and resources that extremist groups could never obtain on their own. By manipulating legitimacy, they provide the cover that allows radical operations to flourish unseen.
Malaysia, with its growing economy and global connections, faces this threat more acutely than ever. The country’s open financial system, vibrant universities, expanding philanthropic sector, and international business ties create both strength and vulnerability.
These spaces are built on trust and legitimacy, the qualities that extremists can exploit. When a professional channels funds under the guise of a research grant or humanitarian aid, traditional law enforcement may see nothing amiss.
White-collar extremism
When a university academic collaborates with an overseas institution that covertly promotes extremist ideology, oversight mechanisms may not detect the danger until it is too late.
This is the domain of white-collar extremism - the new face of terrorism that hides behind desks, laboratories, and boardroom tables. It is more complex, more sophisticated, and far harder to identify than the militant in the jungle or the preacher in the mosque.
Malaysia’s history stands as a cautionary tale, marked by figures like engineer and former lecturer Azhari Hussein; biochemist by training and former army captain Yazid Sufaat; teacher and one-time university student Noordin Top; and lecturer Mahmud Ahmad, all exemplifying that intellect and education are no barriers to the grip of radicalisation.
Yazid SufaatInstead, these qualities can amplify the threat. Their professional expertise enabled them to build bombs, fund networks, recruit others, and conceal their operations under layers of credibility. Each used his professional background to facilitate violent agendas that brought devastation to the region.
Their actions prove that the pathway to extremism is not limited to poverty, marginalisation, or ignorance.
Sometimes, it begins with a sense of intellectual superiority or moral outrage. Professionals may be drawn into extremist ideologies not because of desperation, but because of conviction, the belief that their intelligence, status, or technical skill can “serve a higher cause”.
For some, the blending of ideology and ego becomes intoxicating. For others, financial opportunity masquerades as moral duty.
ADSInvisible networks
Anwar’s response to the Delhi blast underscores his awareness of the world’s growing interconnectedness. In today’s landscape, terrorism transcends borders with alarming ease, while attacks may be carried out locally, their financing, planning, and ideological influence often originate abroad, and at times, are reinforced by local support networks.
These dynamic demands that Malaysia re-evaluate how it perceives and counters extremism. The threat is no longer defined by visible militancy, but by the invisible facilitation networks hidden within legitimate institutions.
Professionals serve as perfect conduits for such operations because they are trusted. A doctor’s clinic, an academic research project, or a charitable foundation naturally attracts less scrutiny than a shadowy organisation.
Through these respectable facades, extremists can launder funds, procure materials, or influence public opinion without raising suspicion. A manipulated insurance claim, a falsified invoice, or a research grant routed through shell entities may look harmless on paper but can, in reality, finance violence thousands of miles away.
Adding to this complexity is the possibility of foreign manipulation. In a world of geopolitical rivalry, terrorism has occasionally been used as a tool to weaken or destabilise nations.
Foreign actors, whether state or non-state, may exploit local professional networks to sow discord or chaos.
Malaysia’s open and trusted institutions make it an attractive target for such interference.
Professionals could be co-opted through academic partnerships, charitable collaborations, or foreign-funded research initiatives that subtly embed ideological or political agendas.
New model of vigilance
To address this, Malaysia must adopt a new model of vigilance, one that recognises that legitimacy itself can be weaponised. Professional associations, universities, corporations, and banks must all play active roles as guardians of integrity.
The medical council could implement training on recognising ideological manipulation; universities must scrutinise funding and research collaborations; corporate boards should monitor for suspicious financial flows or offshore partnerships; and banks must develop algorithms that detect unusual patterns linked to professional accounts and charities.
However, this approach must strike a balance between security and trust. Over-surveillance or arbitrary suspicion could erode professional confidence and stifle innovation. The key is intelligent oversight, rooted in vigilance, ethics, transparency, and responsibility, rather than fear.
Professionals should be seen not as potential threats, but as partners in prevention. They occupy the front lines of legitimacy, and their awareness is Malaysia’s best defence.
Deadly blast near Delhi’s Red FortThe tragedy in Delhi serves as a painful reminder that terror can strike unexpectedly and with devastating precision. For Malaysia, the lesson is clear: the enemy may no longer wear camouflage or carry assault rifles. It may wear a suit, hold a degree, and command respect.
As Anwar reminded the world, terrorism must be condemned wherever it appears, and in Malaysia’s case, it includes when it hides behind the polished veneer of professionalism. - Mkini
R PANEIR SELVAM is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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