Islamic radicalism: twenty-first century challenges in Malaysia

Abstract

After Malaysia's independence, a few extant religious groups sought political remedies on their own terms. They believed government institutions and parties represented un-Islamic values. Within the traditional Malaysian context, two types of religious radicals exist: ethno-religious revivalists and religious fanatics. Currently, post-9/11 Malaysian radicals reminted these old ideas with hardcore amalgams provided by Daesh dogmatism. The changes transformed Salafi reformers so thoroughly that traditional Malay jihadis now prowl the land as Salafi Takfiris. Since Islamic terrorism is global and Malaysia has a solid opposition party, Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS,) suspiciously viewed by Western analysts as fundamentalist, we focus on parties, groups, and movements with the least opportunistic leanings toward radicalism. Hence, this article examines the new ideological Daesh coinage and concerns itself with common beliefs and accommodating social patterns of two homegrown organizations: Jemaah Islamiah (JI) and the Militant Malaysian Group (KMM). Authors also relate detailed governmental responses to both real and perceived threats.