The Malaysian Insight

POLICE have warned religious school leaders to ensure extremist ideologies do not spread among their pupils and Muslim youths, particularly through social media amid rising number of incidents worldwide.

Malaysia’s anti-terrorism chief Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay Ayob gave the warning yesterday while briefing hundreds of leaders from Penang’s religious schools, saying only a few terror suspects came from religious schools but the teachers had the responsibility to ensure that pupils have a sound Islamic foundation.

“Ayob briefed us about how extremist ideology is being spread using social media, the issues concerning security and how the police have been taking action,” said Mohd Jauhari Abd Wahab, who chairs the management board of Tasek Gelugor’s Sekolah Agama Rakyat Jarak Atas.

“I think the police are doing their best. I think the MCMC (Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission) also has to watch social media for these extreme elements.

“Although the situation here is not as serious as elsewhere, we don’t want extremism (to take root) here,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Earlier, Ayob said of the 453 people arrested since 2013 on charges of terrorism, few were from religious schools.

However, the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism principal director warned that elements of terrorism may seep into the schools through teachers brought from outside, or within the schools and urged the school management to keep close tabs on the curriculum.

Madrasah Abu Bakar chairman Ibrahim Abu Bakar from Tasek Gelugor said he believed that Islamic schools must be more vigilant about the Islamic State’s (IS) threat.

“We have to be careful of the influence of enemies who seek to tarnish Islam. Victims who are influenced will become involved in terror activities.

“But it is challenging. It is not so easy to trace them. We are dealing with people who come to you under pretence. You can’t tell sometimes,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Penang Islamic Affairs Department’s education section chief assistant director Rosli Othman said inviting Ayob to talk to the leaders of the religious schools is a preventive measure against the spread of extremist ideology.

“We want to take the early step because prevention is better than cure. Before the problem starts, it is better to give the school management awareness so they can also take appropriate action.

“So far, we have received no reports on extremist ideology being spread in our local Islamic schools. Penang is okay. No problems.”

Rosli also there are more than 400 Islamic schools registered with the state department, adding that their syllabus must be recognised by the Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAIPP).

“We will take action if we find any school teaching anything that goes against the Sunnah Wal Jamaah school. But so far, we have no such cases.”

Rosli also urged parents and the community to work with the school authorities to help monitor the social media activities of the younger generation.

“We hope parents and the society can help. We don’t want our kids to fall into traps or get involved in activities that threaten security.” – January 16, 2019.