Cases of Tension and Conflict in Malaysia

Background

Post-2018 general election marked a historic moment for Malaysians as it was the first time the country experienced a change of government. Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition took over the power from Barisan Nasional (BN) who had ruled the country for more than six decades. The period surrounding the 2018 general election and transition of government saw a spike in intergroup conflicts and the Fragile States Index listed Malaysia in the ‘Warning’ category.1

This alarming trend as well as the lack of data in relation to conflict studies in Malaysia have provided an urgency for the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY) powered by Komuniti Muslim Universal (KMU Malaysia) to take the lead in data-gathering and proliferation. INITIATE.MY believes that the data can help support advocacy programs addressing intolerance, extremism, and terrorism in Malaysia.

Goal

To build a database on cases of tension and conflict that are motivated by religious hatred and racism in Malaysia with an interactive data visualisation

Objectives

1. To mainstream data-driven initiative in relation to conflict studies and counter extremism inMalaysia

2. To trigger public discourse, production of research materials and policy recommendations tosolve the alarming trend

Range of data collection

From 1st January 2004 to 31st December 2021

Target audience

Researchers, practitioners and policymakers in the field of security (conflict studies and prevention of extremism)

Research team

  • Aizat Shamsuddin (Research lead)
  • Hisham Muhaimi, Ain Nasiehah and Akwa Mahzan (Co-researchers)
  • Aiman Zulkifar and C. Hari S. Shankar (Data visualisation analyst)

Accessibility

Raw data in xlsx. file is payable upon request. Our next collection of data depends on the funding availability. Any enquiry please contact us at salam@kmumalaysia.org

 


1 Fragile States Index that studies four types of fragility indicators that include cohesion, economic, political and social. See https://fundforpeace.org/2019/04/10/fragile-states-index-2019/

Research Methods

1. Media monitoring

A group of researchers utilised online tools such as ‘Google search and filters’, ‘Wayback Machine’, etc. using relevant keywords to find and retrieve reported news or information that match the research guidelines.

2. Peer review

Collected data were peer reviewed by co-researchers to verify the accuracy, relevance and reliability to effect any revisions or corrections.

3. Focused group discussion

Internal and external group discussions were held among researchers and expert practitioners from time to time to collect feedback about the dataset and visualisations, and suggestions to improve users’ experience.

Research limitations

1. Not all cases are reported by the media

2. Limited information

3. Lack of follow-up actions for public awareness and policy-making

Needs assessments

1. To compare with other existing data such as produced by ACLED, PDRM Malaysia, etc.

2. To do in-depth research based on specific case studies, the chronologies and developments

3. To develop advocacy strategies to develop programs, recommendations and actions supported by evidence

1. The period surrounding the 2018 general election and transition of government saw a spike in intergroup conflicts. The drivers may include:

a. Reactions to Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s introduction of institutional reforms

b. Incompetency of PH government in managing intergroup conflicts

c. The role of hate speech and misinformation in inciting hate, anger and violence

2. The spillover effect

a. It is prevalent in many cases where one global or local event could trigger another event to emerge or worsen in the same location or elsewhere, with the same actors or different actors.

b. Motivation based on religious hatred and racism could easily galvanise networked actors such as politicians, NGOs and civilian followers to participate in the event.

3. Media reporting

a. Many cases that have not been reported by the media can be due to remote locations from media attention and the lack of public reporting.

b. The responsiveness of the international media over local media in news reporting in terrorism cases.

4. Location

a. Most cases occurred in Klang Valley area due to close proximity with the government centre of administration and media attention. Thus, cases in other locations may be underreported.

5. Conflict resolution

a. The most common solutions affected are prosecution and investigation by the enforcement authority. Rarely, non-punitive solutions such as dialogue and mediation.

6. Casualty

a. Most cases did not result in injury or death. However, both casualties are more common in the cases of terrorism and violent clash

 

Four types of events namely protest, violent clash, vigilantism and terrorism are collected into the database by using only two indicators of motivation namely religious hatred or racism.

1. Indicators

Religious hatred

A manifestation of hatred against a group of individuals associated with religious belief or lack of religious belief, in a form of discriminatory words or actions.

Racism

A manifestation of the belief of superiority of one race, ethnicity or nationality over another, in a form of discriminatory words or actions.

2. Types of event

Protest

A protest is a demonstration of groups or individuals to express opposition, dissatisfaction or show of support. Participation includes organising and attending online or offline protests.

Violent clash

A clash between two or more opposing groups or individuals who engage in violence to express opposition, dissatisfaction or show of support. Violence can be premeditated or spontaneous.

Terrorism

An act or threat of violence by groups or individuals to spread public fear or cause physical damage for political goals. Affiliation to a terrorist group is not necessary, merely sympathy or inspiration from terrorist group and its ideology is sufficient.

Vigilantism

An act of coercion to the extent of violence by groups or individuals of private citizens without legal authority to enforce norms and values or seek justice within a community. Vigilante activity can be organised or spontaneous.

3. Interaction

a. Government/Security Forces

State actors that include the government ministries, bodies and agencies of Malaysia.

b. Protesters

Individuals or groups who participate in a protest such as political parties, NGOs, followers, etc.

c. Terrorist individuals/groups

Individuals or groups who participate in a terrorist activity such as militants, lone-wolves, etc.

c. Vigilante individuals/groups

Individuals or groups who participate in a vigilante activity such as NGOs, community leaders, followers, etc.

d. Rioters

Individuals or groups who participate in a violent clash such as NGOs, followers, etc.

f. Civilians

Ordinary and unarmed members of society that include residents, devotees, bystanders etc.

g. External/Other Forces

State actors of foreign governments and international actors such as international bodies, agencies and armed forces.

1. Overview

Database 2 is in the form of Interactive Map Visualisation. It allows zooming in and out, panning around and identifying specific features indicated in the dashboard filter on both sides of the database. If you are viewing from a mobile device, the dashboard filter will be at the bottom of the map.

a. The different color dots on the map differentiate the type of events:

i. Blue – protest

ii. Red – Terrorism

iii. Green – Vigilantism

iv. Orange – Violent Clash

b. A ‘tooltip’ will appear when you click on a respective dot. Each dot shows a single event according to their location on the map. The tooltip entails:

i. Source Name

ii. Event Type

iii. Date

iv. Primary Actor

v. Associate Actor

vi. Interaction

vii. Location

viii. Type of Government Involved

ix. Type of Consequence

x. Type of Solution

xi. Number of Injury

xii. Number of Death

xiii. Source Link

c. Compatibility

i. On web browsers

1. Chrome on Windows and Mac

2. Microsoft Edge on Windows

3. Mozilla Firefox & Firefox ESR on Windows and Mac

4. Apple Safari on Mac

ii. On mobile devices

1. Chrome on Android

2. Apple Safari on iOS 11.3 or later

3. Tableau Mobile iOS and Android Apps, available at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, respectively

2. Navigating the map (desktop)

a. Moving the map

i. By using the map view toolbar: In the upper-left corner of the map view, the view toolbar lets you zoom in, zoom out, pan the view and select data points. Use the map view toolbar to navigate the map.

ii. By using your cursor: You may also click and drag your cursor to move around the map and double click on the area that you want to focus on to zoom in.

b. Viewing the tooltip

i. Click on a respective dot to view the tooltip. Each dot shows a single event according to their location on the map. Some events may appear multiple times on the map. This indicates that they took place in more than one location.

c. Checking the source link

i. Step 1 – Hover your cursor over the desired event (dot)

ii. Step 2 – Click on the the event

iii. Step 3 – Click on the table button (view data)

iv. Step 4 – Copy the link in ‘Source Link Clean’ column and paste it in a browser to access

d. Using the dashboard filter

i. The dashboard filter is available to help view specific categories of data. Please click on the respective box and select anything that applies to help you narrow down the data that you are searching for.

ii. As for the date box, you may drag the data slider to adjust the duration of month(s) and year(s) to narrow down your time period. Alternatively, you may manually select the date that applies by clicking on the calendar control to fill in your date selection.

3. Navigating the map (mobile)

a. Moving the map

i. By using your finger: Use two fingers to navigate the map and to hover to the desired location on the map. Drag your fingers apart to zoom in, and bring them together to zoom out.

b. Viewing the tooltip

i. Click on a respective dot to view the tooltip. Each dot shows a single event according to their location on the map.

c. Checking the source link

i. Step 1 – Hover to the desired event (dot)

ii. Step 2 – Click on the the event

iii. Step 3 – Click on the table button (view data)

iv. Step 4 – Copy the link in ‘Source Link Clean’ column and paste it in a browser to access

d) Using the dashboard filter

i. The dashboard filter is available to help view specific categories of data. Please click on the respective box and select anything that applies to help you narrow down the data that you are searching for.

ii. As for the date box, you may drag the data slider to adjust the duration of month(s) and year(s) to narrow down your time period. Alternatively, you may manually select the date that applies by clicking on the calendar control to fill in your date selection.

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