Topic: 2025 – Reducing Recruitment Capabilities of Terrorist Groups
Country: Malaysia
Delegate Name: Calvin Hyun
Disarmament and International Security Committee
Reducing the Recruitment Capabilities of Terrorist Groups
Federation of Malaysia
Calvin Hyun
Forest Hills Eastern High School
Terrorism has posed a threat to international peace and security for a long time. One of the major reasons for this threat is the way that terrorist groups recruit members. Historically, major terrorist groups such as ISIS and Abu Sayyaf have targeted Southeast Asia, using vulnerable communities and digital platforms to recruit new members. Malaysia, located in the heart of Southeast Asia has been greatly affected by terrorist groups that have been trying to recruit Malaysian citizens and use Malaysia as a transit point to the rest of the world. Because of this, Malaysia has aligned with international efforts to counter terrorism, while also establsihing local organizations such as SEARCCT (Southeast Asia Rgional Center for Counter Terrorism).
Malaysia’s stance on terrorism is that it has zero tolerance for terrorist recruitment and radicalization. The country has been severley affected, especially thorugh online propaganda, in which terrorists try to convince young Malaysians to join their ranks. To combat this, Malysian government is using full force and authority, combining law enforcement, intelligence and civil society efforts. Malaysian Authorities have disrupted ISIS recruitment networks, and prosectued individuals related to the radicalization of youth. Malaysia also does things beyond enforcement, it advocates for the relocation and rehabilitation of readicalized individuals so that they will not pose a threat to society. Through SEARCCT, Malaysia educates and provides training and research to other countries in Southeast Asia, so that terrorism can be ended in the entire region.
Looking forward, Malaysia believes that solutions to the recruitment capabilities of terrorist groups must be preventative and cooperative. Internationally, Malaysia advocates for a stronger border security, and intelligence about terrorists from other nations before they strike. Domestically, Malaysia is putting funding into youth empowerment programs to prevent the radicalization of youth by terrorist groups. Expanding programs such as SEARCCT to other countries is a potential solution to this problem, preventing terrorist groups from recruiting more citizens.
