The order to look out for signs of radicalism follows the arrest of a retired officer for suspected involvement with a terror group. Malaysia’s army chief has ordered commanders all over the country to be on the alert for ‘tell-tale signs’ of radicalism and extremism among the soldiers. ‘Brigade and unit commanders nationwide have been ordered to keep a close watch on such elements among their officers and rank and file,’ said Army Chief Mohamad Shahrom Nordin here on Saturday. So far there were no reports of soldiers being involved in terror groups such as the Jemaah Islamiah (JI), he said when asked to comment on the arrest of retired Lt-Colonel Abdul Manaf Kamsuri under the Internal Security Act for his suspected involvement with the the JI. Although there were many in the army who were very religious, he said, they were not radicals or extremists. ‘We can sense if something is not right, and so far, there is no report of our officers or soldiers in activities that can be detrimental to stability and peace of the nation.’ Acknowledging that he knew Lt-Col Manaf personally, Datuk Wira Shahrom said the former United Nations peacekeeper had done a tour of duty in Bosnia- Herzegovina in 1993-94. Investigators believe he may have been ‘taken in’ by militant activities then. Full Story
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