The article discusses the recent incident at a boarding school in Ulu Tiram, Malaysia, where a school sign was taken down and replaced with a board stating “No trespassing. Private property.” The school was reportedly set up by Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) exiles, including its founders Abdullah Sungkar and Abu Bakar Bashir. Notable individuals who attended the school were suspected terrorists such as Noordin Muhammad Top and Mukhlas, who were involved in the Jakarta hotel bombings and the 2002 Bali bombings, respectively.
The Ulu Tiram community surrounding the school was described as fanatical and extremist, modeled after JI boarding schools in Solo, Indonesia. While Malaysian security authorities have previously neutralized violent elements within the JI community, concerns have been raised about a potential resurgence of violent elements among a newer generation. Probes of over 20 known JI members in Johor suggest that police are monitoring their activities closely.
Experts, including Prof Ramakrishna and Munira Mustaffa, have cautioned against viewing a single incident as representative of JI activities in the region. Munira emphasized that the suspect’s connection to JI has been established only through his father, and further investigations are needed to determine the extent of any resurgence of violent militancy among the community linked to the old Luqmanul Hakiem pesantren. Prof Ramakrishna highlighted the rudimentary nature of the attack and suggested the suspect may have been inspired by similar incidents in Indonesia.
Assistant Professor Ahmad El-Muhammady suggested that the suspect may have been influenced by previous terror attacks on police stations in Indonesia and triggered by external events such as the conflict in Gaza. He noted that while an organization like JI can be dismantled, its ideology may still persist among certain members and could be subtly propagated. It is important to understand the suspect’s grievances, motivations, and objectives before concluding whether there is a larger plot involving JI in the region.
Overall, the incident at the Ulu Tiram boarding school has raised concerns about a possible resurgence of violent extremism among JI-affiliated individuals in Johor, Malaysia. While security authorities have previously addressed violent elements within the community, there is a need for ongoing vigilance and further investigations to uncover the extent of any potential threats. Monitoring known JI members and understanding the factors influencing individuals’ actions will be crucial in preventing future incidents and addressing any resurgence of violent militancy in the region.
