The deadly lone-wolf attack on Ulu Tiram police station in Johor last month should serve as a wake-up call on the lingering threat of Islamic State (IS), security experts and law enforcement sources have warned.

Despite the terror organisation no longer having a significant territorial grip, IS ideology continues to be spread by those who still believe in its struggle.

This, according to them, poses a constant security threat to the country while the surface situation suggests otherwise.

Security analyst Ahmad El-Muhammady said that the long lull in Malaysia in regard to acts of terrorism does not mean such a threat is non-existent.

“Actually, this lull is more dangerous when it comes to terrorism. Because you do not know what is being planned, and terrorists like to take such a situation to their advantage.

“The Ulu Tiram (incident) proved the case that we cannot sleep, we have to stay vigilant,” he said.

Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar (left) and Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said

On May 17, two police officers were killed when a lone-wolf attacker set upon them at the Ulu Tiram police station.

The youth had first used a machete to attack and kill one of the officers, then stole his firearms, before getting into a shootout with other cops. It ended with the attacker shot dead, while a third police officer was seriously injured.

Police had initially suspected the attacker was influenced by Jemaah Islamiyah, of which his father is a former member, but later established that he was allegedly indoctrinated by IS ideology.

The last time IS had successfully carried out an attack in Malaysia was in 2016 when suspected members of the group set off a hand grenade at Movida Bar in Puchong.

Influence remains

Malaysiakini learned of a growing concern among security experts and intelligence agencies over the emergence of a younger generation of IS supporters, whom they say are being radicalised by recruiters who move in silence.

A security agency official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said authorities are having a hard time gauging the number of IS supporters and sympathisers in the country.

This is due to the group’s ideology being spread via social media and small group chats rather than via physical meet-ups.

However, Ahmad stressed the bigger danger posed by IS is the discourse it introduces.

“If you look now, the narratives of IS are still available in many forms, and some individuals are still spreading them.

“It is not about the size (of the supporters), but the existence of that kind of discourse. Like the Ulu Tiram case, it took only one person.”

Making their move

Sources told Malaysiakini the spread of IS ideology is a concern because it may be too late before a radicalised person comes onto authorities’ radar.

Five family members of the Ulu Tiram police station attacker charged with spreading the IS ideology

A sympathiser or believer of the group’s doctrine might stay dormant and hide his allegiance until the day he decides to put his belief into action, said a source.

“IS followers believe there are three stages for their struggle. The first one is through self-discipline before moving on to preaching their ideology to others.

“And the highest level for them is to act, meaning by launching attacks against those they believe are the enemies of Islam.

“Their main aim is to die fighting taghut (idols) forces. They will make their move when they feel they are ready for the highest level,” said the highly placed source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Sources claimed that IS supporters were not only detected among adults but have also gained sympathisers from among teenagers and school students.

The doctrine was said to be enticing especially to those who have already harboured ill-feeling towards the government, and those who are influenced by the belief that Islam is being undermined in the country.

Earlier today, five family members of the Ulu Tiram attacker including his father were charged in court with allegedly spreading the IS ideology.

Besides the family, police recently picked up two other suspected IS supporters whom authorities have charged in court last week.

The suspects include a factory operator in Taiping, Perak who was charged for possession of explosive materials, allegedly being prepared for an attack.