Admiral Sun Jianguo, Chairman of the
China Institute for International Strategic Studies，General Cai Yingting, Chairman of
the China Association for Military Science, Distinguished guests, Ladies and
gentlemen,
It is a great honour to be standing here
before you at the Xiangshan Forum, a gathering that brings together important
stakeholders to discuss the major issues of our time.
I have had the privilege of attending the
forum for a number of years now and, each time, I have been struck by the
insights shared and the level of discussion that inevitably follows.
Now in its seventh year, there can be no
doubt that the Xiangshan Forum plays a significant role promoting peace across
the region – and indeed the world – by helping us build ever stronger
relationships and trust, as well as developing a greater understanding of the
challenges and opportunities each of us faces.
I am therefore delighted to have the
opportunity to share my own thoughts with you and would like to express my heart-felt
gratitude to our hosts, Admiral Sun Jianguo, Chairman of the China Institute
for International Strategic Studies, and General Cai Yingting, Chairman of the
China Association for Military Science, for giving me the opportunity to do so.
Ladies and gentlemen,
When I read that the theme for this forum
was “Building a New Type of International Relations through Security Dialogue
and Cooperation”, my first thought was that this was a particularly relevant
topic for our time.
We live in an era where the international
geo-political landscape is constantly changing, with the demise of the Cold War
and the 9/11 attacks in New York serving as two of the seminal moments that
have driven this change.
The latter, of course, represented a major
shift in terms of the security challenges the international community faces.
Indeed, it was symbolic of the rise of non-state actors, who have the
determination and ability to make a global impact.
Accordingly, it should come as no surprise
that the manner in which State and Non-State Actors interact has changed
significantly, with national and collective interests encompassing a wider
range of areas from security to environmental protection.
Despite these marked changes, I think it is
premature and foolish to predict the end of Nation States as some have. Indeed,
I believe the role of Governments and the Nation States they represent is
increasingly important, in helping to build alliances and enter into agreements
that help further global society’s collective interests.
This is particularly true given the shift
from the ‘Bloc’ mentality of the Cold War to what we have today – a time where
nations recognize their shared interests and the importance of pursuing a more
consensual approach in order to achieve their individual, and collective,
objectives.
Indeed, the Zero Sum Game, applied
extensively during the Cold War, has been replaced by more pragmatic methods of
interaction, especially in the form of dialogue and cooperation between our
nations.
Never has this model of cooperation been
more crucial than today, not only due to the increasingly interconnected state
of the world, but also due to the unique and historically unparalleled
challenge we face from the advent of global terrorism.
While terrorism takes many forms, few would
argue that the threat posed by groups driven by religious extremism is one of
the great challenges of our time. The most prominent amongst these terrorist
groups is Daesh which, despite suffering recent setbacks, still controls
considerable swathes of territory in countries such as Libya, Syria and Iraq.
Despite the fact that its on-the-ground
presence is limited to the Middle East, Daesh is truly international, with the
group believed to have affiliations with no less than 43 terrorist
organizations globally, 12 of which originate from Asia.
Furthermore, according to a report by the
United Nations, there are believed to be a total of about 25,000 foreign
nationals from 100 countries fighting for the group, many of whom are recruited
through social media.
Unfortunately, individuals from our region
of Southeast Asia too have joined their ranks, with Daesh having an armed unit –
Katibah Nusantara – which comprises approximately 700 fighters from Indonesia,
Malaysia and the Philippines. A number of Singaporeans too are suspected to
have been radicalized and recruited by this unit.
To date, Daesh and its affiliates have
claimed a total of more than 60 terrorist attacks worldwide this year, resulting
in more than 3,000 deaths and thousands of other casualties. While many of
these attacks were carried out in the Middle East, others took place outside of
Daesh’s Area of Operations, for instance in Europe, Africa and Asia.
A large percentage of these terrorist
attacks were conducted, I would say, in conjunction with conventional
operations launched by Daesh regular forces such as capturing and holding
ground while the rest were aimed at targets outside their Area of Operation
especially in Europe, Africa and Asia either by cells or lone wolves.
My own country, Malaysia, is not immune
from this threat and we suffered our first Daesh-related attack in June 2016
when terrorists threw grenades into an entertainment center in Kuala Lumpur
causing injury to 8 people.
In order to further incapacitate Daesh’s
propaganda and radicalisation efforts, Malaysia with the help of other nations,
has developed the following:
a. A Counter Messaging Centre has been
developed to provide alternative narratives in order to neutralise propagandas
sent by Daesh through the social media and messaging systems.
b. The establishment of a Deradicalization
Centre to allow the Government to deradicalize suspected returnees and
individuals who are believed to be targeted by Daesh.
c. The formulation of various laws such as
the Prevention of Terrorist Act (POTA) and Foreign Fighters Act to oppose
attempts to spread terrorism and recruitment of Malaysian by terrorist groups.
d. The conduct of the Multinational Counter-Terrorist
Exercise in 2015 consisting of military and police force from 11 nations.
As mentioned earlier, concerted efforts
have been concentrated by various coalitions groups to eliminate or reduce
Daesh’s hold in its Area of Operations. These measures have resulted in loss of
territories, revenues and man power which has weakened the terrorist group and
may compel its members to return to their countries of origin. This influx of
returnees, especially in Southeast Asia, would create another danger where they
may network and collaborate with their ex-comrades to trigger acts of terrorism
in the region as an extension of their original cause.
This phenomenon was evident in the early
2000 where returnees from the Afghanistan conflict formed the Jemaah Islamiyah
and started a wave or terrorist attacks in the region.
Another consequence of Daesh’s losses in
the Middle East would be striking collaboration with criminal groups to gain
income from unlawful activities such as kidnapping for ransom (as being done by
Daesh affiliate Abu Sayyaf Group), trafficking of drugs in conjunction with the
various cartels and the illicit sales of priceless antiques in the black market
from their captured territories.
These are some of the extent in which Daesh
have undertaken or may take on as a result of their losses. For that, East
Asia, especially Southeast Asia remains a potential target for militancy and
terrorism.
Daesh’s ability to launch attacks in capitals
around the world has altered the nature of international relations and, every
day, we see evidence of how the threat posed by this terrorist group has
compelled State and Non-State Actors to embrace a more collaborative approach
on the international stage.
For instance; via intelligence sharing, joint
military action by countries from different parts of the world, or efforts to
counter the corrupted religious narratives produced by Daesh to gain popular
support.
One tangible example of the strategic
collaboration taking place is the formation of the Islamic Military Counter
Terrorism Coalition, with 39 member states including Malaysia, and aims to
formulate strategies to counter the threat of Daesh worldwide.
The areas being looked at range from
ideology and information to finance and military cooperation – all with the aim
of producing comprehensive and holistic solutions to destroy Daesh’s terrorist
machinery.
Key to this is the formulation and
dissemination of counter-narratives based on true and moderate religious
thoughts; starving Daesh of financial support by restricting transfer of funds
via the internet to the terrorist group; establishing de-radicalization
mechanisms for suspected extremists; and monitoring the movement of citizens
who are suspected of travelling to countries in the Daesh Area of Operations with
a view to joining the group.
It is these measures, driven by
international cooperation, that have resulted in Daesh’s recent set-backs, with
new data showing that the group has lost more than a quarter of the territory
it once controlled.
Ladies and gentlemen,
While international relations today is
dominated by the pursuance of national or group interests vis-a-vis competing
states or groups, we were until recently oblivious to the threat posed by
Daesh, or what some would describe as the first truly international terrorist
group – Al-Qaeda. This afforded them the space and opportunity to expand their
influence globally.
Looking at the spread of Daesh attacks
worldwide, no nation is insulated from its threat, and unless strong measures are
taken collectively, they may attack with impunity anywhere and everywhere. Whatever
measures that one country takes to counter terrorism will never be enough.
These measures must be augmented or strengthened by collaboration with other
countries. As a result, both State and Non-State Actors have re-evaluated their
outlook on the world. This has led to a new, greater, form of collaboration
across a broader spectrum of areas between countries.
I am pleased to say that last year China
and Malaysia held their first joint military exercises, and we have pledged to
deepen defence cooperation.
That is one example, and I am also glad to
see that the 7th Xiangshan Forum has included ‘International Terrorist Threats
and Countermeasures’ as a topic of deliberation. I am sure that Malaysia and
China can learn and gain from working each other in this area.
For I believe that there are many lessons
to be taken here, not only from the forum, but from China itself – a country
that has experienced its share of terrorist attacks.
In the true spirit of learning, unlearning
and relearning from these experiences, China formulated one of most
comprehensive security measures for the Olympic Games in 2008, which could be
used as a model for counter-terrorism preparations at major global events.
Similarly, we have observed with interest
and appreciation China’s strong participation in efforts to counter terrorist
threats regionally and globally.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The prerequisites for successful
collaboration against terrorism – namely transparency in deliberations,
adherence to international norms and practices, engaging members as equals, and
taking into account varied national interests – is applicable to all
international engagements, whether against Traditional or Non-Traditional
Security challenges.
It is therefore my hope that this
collective spirit to protect sovereignty and preserve human security will,
overtime, broaden out to other issues afflicting our world especially the Asia
Pacific region.
I would again like to take this opportunity
to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of the People’s Republic of
China, the People’s Liberation Army, the Institute for Strategic Studies and
the China Association for Military Science for inviting me to deliver this
address.
I wish all the participants of the 7th
Xiangshan Forum a rewarding time in Beijing.
Thank you.