PROTECTING THE NATIONAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC ORDER FROM POTENTIAL THREATS OF DEVIANT TEACHINGS

Gombak, 20 November 2024. Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL), through the Civil Law Department, organises a Roundtable Discussion on National Security, Public Order and Religious Ideology: Potential Threats and Raising Awareness on the Role of Agencies. It is indeed timely to share and exchange ideas among others, on the sufficiency of legal mechanisms for the protection of national security and public order and to address issues relating to deviant teachings and religious extremism and how they can lead to threatening national security while highlighting the role of Islamic agencies in carrying out responsibility to guard against conduct that threatens the national securities.

As a result of media highlights on national security cases involving some Islamic organisations, certain agencies are perceived as the only responsible authorities by certain quarters. This confusion has led to public insecurity and questioning of the authorities’ role. It is essential that all agencies, Federal or State, are clear of their roles so they can all join efforts in preserving public order and safeguarding national security.

It is essential to recognise the importance of examining the extent to which the rights of individuals under investigation are protected and the applicability of special laws, such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2021 (SOSMA), in cases affecting national security.

Assoc. Prof. Datuk Shamrahayu bt Abdul Aziz moderates the session. The panellists are Prof. Mohd Mizan Mohd Aslam from UPNM, Assoc. Prof. Dr Khalif Muammar A Harris from UTM, Assoc. Prof. Dr Khairil Azmin Mokhtar, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Hisham Mohd. Kamal from AIKOL, IIUM. Dato’ Sri Mohd. Suhaily Mohd Zain, the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department of Royal Malaysia Police is also in attendance. Other participants include academics from the law school and other faculties and representatives from agencies relating to the administration of Muslims.