INITIATE.MY

Second Advanced Course: Train-the-Trainers Course on Community Engagement for Prevention of Violent Extremism
2023-09-12 08:00 - 2023-09-14 17:00 (Asia/Shanghai)
Kuala Lumpur, 12-14 September 2023 – The Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Counterterrorism Unit (E8) Special Branch and Safe in Custody, had successfully co-organised the “Second Advanced Course: Train-the-Trainers Course on Community Engagement for Prevention of Violent Extremism.”

This intensive one-week training served as a continuation of the previous series held in August 2023. This training brought together over 30 alumni and new participants from the Counterterrorism Unit (E8) Special Branch of the Royal Malaysia Police. The event featured six distinguished speakers representing Malaysian universities and civil society organisations, and UNODC office in Malaysia and Bangkok who had shared their expert insights with the participants.

Timo Goosman, Minister Counsellor and Head of Political Affairs, Press and Information was delivering his opening speech by conveying his positive hopes on the Advanced Course series.

The course aimed to further enhance the skillset of the participants in operational, training, and mentorship capacities for the law enforcement officials to engage communities at large, criminal suspects and government agencies in counterterrorism responses. The training commenced with a session on “Advanced Evidence Collection: Effective Management of Experts in Collaborative Approaches to Legal Processes” that explored the role of experts in the criminal justice process, particularly during investigations, pre-trials and trials.

Participants were exposed to terrorism-related offences that require expert assessment, the eligibility of the experts, the challenges of dealing with experts, and how to overcome them. Understanding these technical concepts would help participants in the investigation process particularly in evidence gathering and foster a meaningful collaboration with credible experts in the field.

Insightful session on “Advanced Evidence Collection: Effective Management of Experts in Collaborative Approaches to Legal Processes” delivered by Dr. Mukhriz Mat Rus, senior lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

Besides that, the session on “Mastering the Art of Countering Terrorism Financing” covered the sophisticated trends of anti-money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/TF), international and national legal frameworks governing AML/TF and the roles of different agencies to collaborate in financial intelligence sharing.

Furthermore, this course also cultivated investigative methods such as the “Reid Investigative Technique”, the criticism revolving around it, and how the Planning, Engaging, Account, Closure and Evaluation (PEACE) interview method could be a better alternative. This would instil a more structured and systematic way to interview suspects in accordance with the human rights and “Do No Harm” principles.

Vickram Ragunanth from UNODC Malaysia Office presenting on “Investigative Interviewing: Capturing the Story Between The Lines.”

INITIATE.MY is resolutely committed to serving as a vital bridge, fostering strong connections between government agencies and civil society organisations (CSOs) within Malaysia’s security sector. As we look ahead to the release of the National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (NAPPCVE), it becomes increasingly evident that this plan should not merely be a document but it should act as a catalyst, facilitating extensive collaborations between the government and CSOs through well-defined mechanisms and initiatives. This collaborative synergy will be instrumental in effectively addressing the complex challenges posed by violent extremism in Malaysia and the region.

First Advanced Course: Train-the-Trainers Courses on Community Engagement for Prevention of Violent Extremism
2023-08-01 08:00 - 2023-08-03 17:00
Kuala Lumpur, 1-3 August 2023 – The Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY), in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Counterterrorism Unit (E8) Special Branch, and Safe in Custody, achieved a newer milestone by co-hosting the “First Advanced Course: Train-the-Trainers Course on Community Engagement for Prevention of Violent Extremism.”

This intensive one-week training served as a continuation of the previous initial series held in May 2023. This training brought together over 30 alumni and new participants from the Counterterrorism Unit (E8) Special Branch of the Royal Malaysia Police. The event featured six distinguished speakers representing Malaysian universities, civil society organisations, and a prominent law firm who had shared their expert insights with the participants.

The course provided a comprehensive curriculum aimed at enhancing the skillset for enforcement officials. It specifically focused on the key aspects of evidence and human rights in the investigation and prosecution phases. For example, participants delved into learning the legal principles and procedures of the Malaysian evidence law and localised international framework of “Do No Harm” in dealing with high-risk suspects as well as adopting multi-stakeholder and gender-sensitive approaches in the overall counterterrorism responses.

The first session on “Human Rights and Policing: Building Trust and Safeguarding Suspect Rights” was delivered by Dr. Haezreena Begum, Criminologist and Senior Lecturer at Universiti Malaya.

An exclusive highlight of the event was a dialogue session featuring a former security convict, Yazid Supaat. His insights and experiences in rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) were invaluable. Participants actively engaged in the moderated discussion, identifying strengths and challenges within Malaysia’s R&R programme and collaboratively exploring strategies for improvement.

Yazid Supaat (on the left) shared his unique testimony and insights from his experience as a former security convict during the second session (on the left).

During a dedicated session on the Early Warning and Early Response System (EWERS), participants gained practical insights on responding to various levels of violent extremism risk. They also learned to identify key stakeholders responsible for addressing these risks. The exercise implemented in this session underscored the collective responsibility shared among stakeholders, emphasising that responding to threats of violent extremism extends beyond the domain of law enforcement officials alone.

Aizat Shamsuddin from INITIATE.MY presented on the Early Warning and Early Response System (EWERS) as a collaborative tool for multi-stakeholders in PCVE efforts.

The course’s concluding segment featured a “mock trial” designed to apply the acquired knowledge, particularly in the realm of evidence and human rights, to the handling of legal proceedings related to terrorism. This exercise aimed to sharpen participants’ investigative skills, enhance their ability to prepare evidence meticulously, and refine their oratory skills for effectively presenting cases in court.

The mock trial session, facilitated by Salim Bashir, Advocate and Solicitor at Salim Bashir, Ruswiza & Co, delved into the practical application of evidence and human rights in simulated criminal proceedings.

Looking forward, INITIATE.MY is committed to fortifying this partnership as a dynamic co-learning space within the security sector. This collaboration has not only bolstered the capacity building of law enforcement officials but has also significantly heightened awareness and fostered valuable networking among partner organisations in recognising the complex role of law enforcement agencies in safeguarding national security.

TikTok Community Partner Channel
2023-06-26 01:30 - 17:00
Petaling Jaya, 26 June 2023 – INITIATE.MY, alongside the Center for Independent Journalism, BERSIH, Jom Check, and Pusat Komas, has partnered with TikTok Malaysia through Community Partner Channel to bolster civic engagement and ensure election integrity in the country. As a community partner, INITIATE.MY will play a crucial role in monitoring and countering the dissemination of harmful content that incites hate and violence, particularly in the lead-up to critical events like elections. This initiative aligns with INITIATE.MY’s commitment to combat extremist behaviours including within the digital landscape and foster responsible use of social media.

TikTok with other leading organisations such as BERSIH, CIJ Malaysia, INITIATE.MY, Jom Check and Pusat KOMAS sharing insights on the Malaysia GE15th. (Photo credit ByteDance)

Capacity-Building Workshop on Strategic Communication for the Prevention of Violent Extremism
2023-05-29 08:00 - 2023-06-08 17:00 | Kuala Lumpur
This short video was produced by Ridho Ristiyanto that features the activities throughout the first series of the Strategic Communication Workshop.

Kuala Lumpur, 29 May-8 June 2023 – Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) co-organised two series of “Capacity Building Workshop on Strategic Communication for the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE)”. This workshop brought together over 60 participants from various sectors including government agencies, law enforcement bodies, civil society organisations (CSOs), as well as youth leaders and activists, providing them with essential knowledge and skills in understanding and implementing strategic communications in their respective fields.

Throughout the duration of the training course, participants embarked on a comprehensive exploration of Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism (IMVE) within the realms of both online and offline contexts. Dr. Mukhriz Mat Rus, an esteemed academic from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), served as a resource person, sharing his invaluable insights and expertise on the subject matter. Additionally, the participants were presented with compelling case studies from INITIATE.MY’s team, drawing from their extensive database. These case studies shed light on incidents of IMVE, including instances of on-campus radicalisation and the proliferation of dangerous online narratives on platforms such as TikTok, particularly in the aftermath of the 2022 general election.

Insightful session on “Understanding Ideologically Motivated Violent Extremism (IMVE)” by Dr. Mukhriz Mat Rus from UUM.

The workshop’s main trainer, Dr. Noor Huda Ismail from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), delivered his expertise on strategic communications, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the various components within this field. One notable highlight of the workshop was the screening of the influential and thought-provoking documentary film “Kembali Ke Titik” (Return to the Starting Point), a collaborative effort between Dr. Ismail and Mr. Ridho Dwi Ristiyanto. This documentary presented a compelling narrative about a former terrorist fighter who returned to his family, serving as a powerful medium to effectively convey impactful messages and raise awareness among a wider audience.

In addition to Dr. Ismail’s contributions, local practitioners in art, media, mediation, and research from organisations such as the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Anomalist Production, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the Institute of Research and National Integration Training (IKLIN), MyCheck Malaysia and IMAN Research shared their best practices, along with the challenges they face and strategies to overcome them. Their profound insights provided diverse perspectives on countering hate and promoting inclusive narratives across a wide range of platforms and mediums. These invaluable tools are essential for fostering and safeguarding the multi-religious and ethnic diversity of Malaysia.

Interactive session on the introduction to strategic communications session by Dr. Noor Huda Ismail from RSIS.

Another part of the training emphasised the practical application and customisation of key communication principles and techniques in participants’ group projects. By equipping participants with essential tools and knowledge, the training aimed to enable meaningful engagement with target audiences and deepen their understanding of the risks and consequences related to violent extremism.

It is worth noting that this training program was part of UNODC’s Strengthening Resilience to Violent Extremism (STRIVE ASIA) initiative, which received generous funding from the European Union. The presence and opening speeches of esteemed individuals such as Mr. Timea Magony, Junior Professional in Delegation (JPD), Mr. Ekraj Sabur, UNODC’s Terrorism Prevention Officer, and Aizat Shamsuddin, INITIATE.MY’s Founder, further underscored the strong support for the program’s objectives. Mr. Hisham Muhaimi, INITIATE.MY’s Project Coordinator and the main coordinator of the training, emphasised the importance of ongoing support for the program’s continuation and the implementation of participants’ projects in future rounds.

Participants from various backgrounds including NGOs, creative industry and student associations were brainstorming in their own group on the utilisation of social media to counter violent extremism.

Train the Trainers Course on Community Engagement for Prevention of Violent Extremism
2023-05-08 08:00 - 2023-05-19 16:00
Kuala Lumpur, 8-19 May 2023 – Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Counterterrorism Unit (E8) Special Branch and Safe in Custody, successfully co-organised two series of the “Train-the-Trainers Course on Community Engagement for Prevention of Violent Extremism.” Over 60 participants from the Counterterrorism Unit (E8) Special Branch and the Crime Prevention and Community Safety (JPJKK) of the Royal Malaysia Police were actively engaged in this intensive two-week training program.

Mr. Ekraj Sabur from UNODC was welcoming the participants to the Train the Trainers course on Community Engagement for Prevention of Violent Extremism

Participants from the Counterterrorism Unit (E8) Special Branch and the Crime Prevention and Community Safety (JPJKK) were listening attentively to a briefing by Azura Nasron, Safe in Custody’s Program Manager.

The training program was designed to augment the participants’ proficiency as first responders in thwarting cases of violent extremism in Malaysia. The comprehensive course delved into a myriad of intricate concepts and theories, encompassing a deep comprehension of the multifaceted nature of both offline and online forms of violent extremism. It underscored the indispensable role of community policing in early detection of radicalisation indicators, emphasising the cultivation of trust within diverse communities. Furthermore, the course honed the participants’ interview skills, not solely to extract information but also to foster resilient societies that possess a heightened awareness and a cooperative spirit in the prevention of extremist ideologies within their respective domains. Additionally, the training underscored the importance of effective reporting techniques, highlighting the meticulous collection of crucial information to construct evidence-based cases that facilitate targeted intervention and countermeasures.

Distinguished experts were carefully selected to serve as resource persons for this training program. Among them were Dr. Haezreena Begum, a scholar specialising in law and security crime prevention from Universiti Malaya (UM), and Dr. Mukhriz Mat Rus, an academic with expertise in the same field from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). Complementing their knowledge was Dr. Chung Kai Li, an expert in forensic psychology from the University of Reading Malaysia. Notably, the training also benefited from the extensive experience of DCP Normah Ishak, the Chief of Counterterrorism Police (E8), who has served in the police force for over three decades. Reflecting E8’s current focus on preventive measures against violent extremism in light of the decline in terror-related cases, the importance of community policing was underscored as a crucial aspect to be fostered.

DCP Normah Ishak, the Chief of Counterterrorism Police (E8) was conveying her thoughts and expectations for the course during the opening speech.

Mr. Timo Goosman, Minister Counsellor and Head of Political Affairs, Press and Information was delivering his opening speech which highlighted the historical moment for law enforcement agencies and the civil society organisations.

This training program represents a landmark collaboration between civil society and law enforcement in the security sector of Malaysia. It symbolises a commendable demonstration of willingness and concerted efforts from both sides to pool resources and effectively address security challenges. By enhancing the capacity of the police force and providing a platform for mutual learning between civil society and law enforcement, this collaboration exemplifies a comprehensive and inclusive approach in line with the United Nations Security Council’s mandate. It underscores the understanding that preventing violent extremism necessitates the active involvement and collective engagement of all stakeholders across society.

The training program was part of UNODC’s Strengthening Resilience to Violent Extremism (STRIVE ASIA) initiative, generously funded by the European Union. The presence and opening speeches of Mr. Timo Goosman, Minister Counsellor and Head of Political Affairs, Press and Information, and Mr. Ekraj Sabur, UNODC’s Terrorism Prevention Officer, further underscored the support of the program’s objectives. Mr. Hisham Muhaimi, INITIATE.MY’s Project Coordinator, Aizat Shamsuddin, INITIATE.MY’s Founder and Azura Nasron, Safe in Custody’s Program Manager, who were the main coordinators of this training, have already begun discussions regarding the possibility of future advanced courses in the next quarter of the year.

Early Findings on the Challenges and Needs of Former Security Detainees (FSDs) and Their Affected Family Members
2023-02-28 11:00 - 13:00
BackgroundCurrently, Malaysia is at the stage of finalising and soon launching its own National Action Plan to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism (NAPPCVE or NAP). One of the focus clusters is the reintegration programme of former security detainees (FSDs) and their affected family members. FSDs are defined as those who were detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2021, Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 and Prevention of Crime Act 1959. In Malaysia, the reintegration programme with former prisoners in general is facilitated mainly by state actors, the government and enforcement authorities. However, there is a lack of resources given to the efforts to reintegrate FSDs and their affected family members back into the society. Last year, INITIATE.MY organised a series of consultations and interviews with about 50 participants from FSDs and their family members themselves, government agencies, enforcement authorities, lawyers, academicians, civil society organisations, to find out more about the challenges and needs of FSDs and their affected family members in the reintegration programme.Our findings show that because of the criminal record from the past security offences, they are facing difficulties in rejoining the society. This includes access to proper legal representation, employment opportunities, mental health services and meaningful participation on community activities.This webinar discusses INITIATE.MY early findings on the challenges and needs of FSDs and their affected family members as well as to propose recommendations on empowering the role of relevant stakeholders to play a part in deradicalisation efforts. Target Audience

P/CVE Researchers, NGOs, policymakers and enforcement agencies

Moderator

Azura Nasron,Program Manager, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM)She is a graduate of Political Science who is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree at the University of Malaya in the field of Southeast Asian Studies. Formally working in SUARAM, an NGO focusing on the repeal of draconian laws. Informally, she is the chair of student organisation – Gerakan Pembebasan Akademik, a founding member of Rekod Media, and also a member and contributing writer of Jurnal Sang Pemula; all three platforms focused on bringing forth ideas based on social justice.

Speakers

Hisham MuhaimiProject Coordinator,Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY)He is a Project Coordinator and Researcher at the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY) that is powered by Komuniti Muslim Universal (KMU Malaysia). Hisham joined KMU Malaysia in 2017 and has since been active in conducting advocacy training, workshops and seminars with youths and other stakeholders at the grassroots to promote the inclusion of religious minorities and gender equality, and the prevention of violent extremism (P/CVE). He is also active in participating in speaking engagements and is often quoted in the news media on the topic of religious freedom, hate speech and P/CVE. He spent 5 years studying laws and Shariah at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) from 2014 – 2019. He was also a Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academic Fellow alumnus from the University of Nebraska-Omaha in 2018. Hisham is passionate about civic engagement, youth advocacy, community building and interfaith experience.

Dr. Mukhriz Mat RusSenior Lecturer,Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)

He is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). Before joining the academia, he served at the Attorney General’s Chambers, Malaysia as Deputy Public Prosecutor (2008 – 2015). He is also a qualified advocate and solicitor (Malaya). Dr. Mukhriz obtained LL.B (Hons) in 2007 from the International Islamic University of Malaysia and later LL.M from the National University of Malaysia in 2014.In 2019, he completed his Ph.D. (Criminal Justice & Counter-terrorism) at the School of law, University of Leeds, United Kingdom. His doctoral research is about the criminalisation approach in Malaysia’s counter-terrorism strategy. His areas of expertise and interest include international and domestic criminal law, criminal justice, counter-terrorism law and human rights law.

Debbie AffiantyDirector,Laboratory of Indonesian and Global Studies (LIGS), Muhammadiyah University, Jakarta

She is the Executive Director of the Laboratory of Indonesia and Global Studies (LIGS), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), Muhammadiyah University, Jakarta. She was a member of the International Relations and Cooperation Institute (LHKI) Pimpinan Pusat Muhammadiyah from the year 2015 to 2022. Debbie is now a member of the Research Division of Aisyiyah Board, which is the Muhammadiyah women’s wing.

She is also a member of the Streering Commitee of the Working Group on Women and Preventing Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) (WGWC). PCVE WGWC is a media of consolidating knowledge about the work of women and PCVE in Indonesia, by taking good and bad practices, civil society and government in implementing policies and women’s and PCVE programs. She specialises on how gender issues affect terrorism in Indonesia.

Policy Brief Launch and Webinar on ‘Mainstreaming Mediation as An Alternative Form of Conflict Resolution in Malaysia’
2022-07-28 14:00 - 16:00
Watch Recording here
Background
Malaysia prides itself on a unique pluralistic society comprising members from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. This peaceful coexistence and integration is possible due to the high level of compromise and tolerance between all ethnic and religious groups. While there have been dark moments that threatened the hard-won peace (such as the violent riots of May 1969), Malaysia has always managed to move past it and come back stronger.
Unfortunately, a worrying trend of interracial conflict is re-emerging in contemporary Malaysia. INITIATE.MY’s database captured an alarming increase in intergroup conflict motivated by religious hatred and racism, especially around the 2018 Malaysian general election. Among others, this trend was mobilised by far-right leaning actors who instigated fear and anger among their followers and a wider public sympathetic to their cause. Most attempts to resolve these conflicts were top-down and punitive in nature, which was ineffective over the long run.
Given the urgency, this webinar will explore the problem of intergroup conflict in Malaysia and propose mediation as an alternative option to prevent conflict and promote community resilience with full consideration of targeted stakeholders.

Target Audience
Researchers, NGOs, policymakers and enforcement agencies (local and international) in the fields of religious freedom and conflict resolution.

Itinerary
1.55 pm – 2.00 pm | Admission of Participants
2.00 pm – 2.10 pm | Introduction by Aizat Shamsuddin
2.10 pm – 2.25 pm | Presentation of Policy Brief by Eow Shiang Yen
2.25 pm – 3.15 pm | Discussion by Speakers
3.15 pm – 3.45 pm | Q&A with Participants
3.45 pm – 4.00 pm | Conclusion, Poll & Dispersal

Speakers
Aizat Shamsuddin,
Founder and Director,
Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY)
He is an analyst and practitioner in the prevention of violent extremism (PVE), good governance, and human rights. He leads CSO-government preventive policy engagements, inter- and intra-faith dialogues, and more recently digital data developments to prevent extremism in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Besides, he founded Komuniti Muslim Universal in 2015 with other former radicalised youths to counter extremism with counternarratives. In recognition of his work in peace and security, he received Australia Awards scholarship from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ASEAN in 2018. Then, he completed his master’s degree in 2020 specialising in counterterrorism, conflict studies and political Islam from the University of Melbourne. As part of his global network in counter-extremism initiatives, he is an alumnus of German Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations and American Council of Young Political Leaders since 2018. Aizat was also trained in Sharia and law for 5 years at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia. His altruistic hope is to make the world a better place.
Eow Shiang Yen,
Executive Committee,
Malaysian Youth Council (MBM)
He is the Executive Committee of the Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) and holds the portfolio of unity, national integration, and consumerism. He is currently a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student in Community Nutrition at the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). His research focus is on maternal and infant gut health. He is also active and undertaking the leadership position in a number of youth- and religious-based organisations, including the General Secretary of Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM). He is a peace-loving and easy-going individual, and he enjoys working with people of different backgrounds and celebrating differences instead of magnifying them. He attended the Certificate in Inter-religious Mediation (CIRM) course co-organised by Department of Unity and National Integration and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2019 and obtained the CIRM and Certificate of Foundational Mediation Practice, issued by the IIUM and Australiasian Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Consortium, respectively. He is also an alumnus of INITIATE.MY’s Peace Lab for Youth (PLY).
Puan Nurul Akmalina,
Deputy Director (Training Development Division),
National Integration Research and Training Institute (IKLIN)
She is the Deputy Director of Training and Development Division at the National Integration Research And Training Institute (ILKIN). She oversees the training of mediators under the Department of National Unity (PERPADUAN) for Certificate in Inter-religious Mediation (CIRM) course and recently known as Social Mediation between 2018 and 2022 to produce ‘community mediators’. She has the background of Political Sciences from the International Islamic University Malaysia. She is also a certified mediator. Prior to this, she worked at the PERPADUAN in both Selangor and Sabah before being transferred to the Putrajaya office serving as the Director of PERPADUAN. She then served as the Principal Assistant Secretary at the Interfaith Harmony Section, Community Relations Division of the Ministry of National Unity.
Santhira Kumar Madhavan,
Member, Malaysia Hindu Sangam’s Hindu Advisory Board
He is a member of Malaysia Hindu Sangam’s Hindu Advisory Board and a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Santhira Kumar Madhavan has a LLB background from University of London in 1992. He then became a student monk at the age of 24 soon after he graduated. He attended the Certificate in Inter-religious Mediation (CIRM) course co-organised by Department of Unity and National Integration and International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in 2019 and obtained the CIRM and Certificate of Foundational Mediation Practice. He is a social worker who actively helps those who are struggling with identity crisis in their identification card such as Hindus who are classified as Muslims. Santhira is also a Spiritual Counselor, a teacher of Hindu scriptures and an accomplished cook.

Webinar Report 5/2022
1 file(s) 1.93 MB

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Policy Brief Launch and Webinar on ‘How to Tackle Hate Speech, a Driver of Intolerance in Malaysia’
2022-06-28 14:00 - 16:30
Watch Recording here

Background

Hate speech plays a role in polarising society as it can lead to intolerant actions between groups of people. This is especially dangerous in Malaysia, where race and religion are often politicised by political and religious actors for political or personal gain. Things are also getting worse; following the 2018 general election, a spike of intolerant cases motivated by racism and religious hatred was reported by INITIATE.MY. In these cases, political and religious actors were observed to have used hate speech to stir public fear and anger, and mobilise protests and clashes. Although such actions are usually dealt with by the authorities through criminal prosecution, this is far from enough to tackle a multifaceted and complex problem such as hate speech. Legal reforms and restorative justice approaches must be prioritised as well to holistically tackle hate speech as the driver of intolerant actions by focusing on public education and providing redress mechanisms for victims of hate speech.

This webinar aims to discuss the problem with hate speech regulations in Malaysia and propose holistic recommendations to tackle hate speech that leads to intolerant actions.

Target Audience

Researchers, NGOs, policymakers and enforcement agencies (local and international)

Itinerary

1.30 pm – 1.55 pm | Arrival of Speakers
1.55 pm – 2.00 pm | Admission of Participants
2.00 pm – 2.10 pm | Introduction by Vinodh Pillai
2.10 pm – 2.25 pm | Presentation of Policy Brief by Hisham Muhaimi
2.25 pm – 3.15 pm | Discussion by Speakers
3.15 pm – 3.45 pm | Q&A with Participants
3.45 pm – 4.00 pm | Conclusion, Poll & Dispersal

Speakers

Vinodh Pillai
Independent Journalist

He is an independent journalist, editor and human rights advocate. He has spent most of his career platforming those without a voice and pushing for more stories of lived realities. He has done this through his previous work as a news reporter and human rights programme officer, and continues to do so on a freelance basis. His most recent written work, the Queer Lapis Sex Work Series, was published last year, and aimed at destigmatising sex work in Malaysia. Vinodh has had bylines on news portals such as Malaysiakini, Free Malaysia Today, CodeBlue and Cilisos. He was previously attached to civil society organisations like the Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy (2019-2020) and the Centre for Independent Journalism (2020-2022), where he worked on health and freedom of expression/media freedom reforms, respectively. He is currently working with UNICEF Malaysia on a project highlighting the stories of children affected by migration. Vinodh holds a Bachelor’s degree in professional communications from the International University of Malaya-Wales.

Hisham Muhaimi
Project Officer,
Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY)

He is a Project Officer of the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY) since 2021 and a member of KMU Malaysia since 2017. His active involvement includes conducting advocacy training, workshops and seminars with youths and other stakeholders to promote the inclusion of religious minorities and gender equality, and the prevention of violent extremism (PVE). He has an educational background in Shariah and law from the Islamic Science University of Malaysia.

Dr. Murni Wan Mohd Nor
Senior Lecturer,
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)

She is a Senior Lecturer in Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) holding a PhD in Law. Her focus is on the issue of hate speech, the harms it brings, and the need for specific legislation. Her current research interests extend to media representation on racial and religious issues, Islamophobia, as well as combating hate speech and fake news within the community. Dr Murni cares deeply for fostering racial unity and interfaith understanding; having written a number of published articles on the matter and organised successful interfaith dialogue sessions. She has held several consultancies on human rights and hate speech-related projects such as with The Centre, UNDP and CENTHRA. It is her hope that the usage of hate speech and its negative impact can be lessened through the introduction of a comprehensive and holistic framework to address hate speech.

YB Howard Lee
State Legislative Assemblyperson,
Pasir Pinji, Perak

He is a Malaysian politician, currently serving his second term as the Perak State Legislative Assemblyman for Pasir Pinji (N.27) as well as Democratic Action Party Central Executive Committee member. He has risen to the top of every youth political organisation he has been affiliated to, including the worlds’ largest Youth Political organisation in the world- the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) as its 24th President. During his tenure, he was the global focal point for SDG8 under the auspices of the United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth (UNMGCY) He was also DAPSY (DAP’s Youth Wing) National Chief, and was also the Pakatan Harapan Youth National Chief. During the 22 months of Pakatan Harapan’s rule, He was the Perak State Government Executive Council Member for Youth & Sports Development. His specific areas of policy interests include Human Economy, Food security and supply, TVET, Tourism and service based economy.

Webinar Report 4/2022
1 file(s) 1.19 MB

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Policy Brief Launch and Webinar on How to Tackle On-campus Radicalisation and Improve Community Resilience
2022-04-27 14:00 - 16:00
Watch Recording here

Background

The spread of global terrorism from Islamist terror groups like Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Daesh/ Islamic State (IS) has arrived at the doorsteps of Malaysian campuses to radicalise and recruit our youths by exploiting their passion, curiosity, and anger about the world, religion, and injustices. Despite the collapse of their movement, their ideologies and networks remain intact and can reemerge in newer manifestations whenever emboldened by global and domestic political developments.

Radicalisation is a process with various ideological, operational, and structural drivers. However, given the complexity of this problem, university administrations do not yet have the right mechanisms in place to address it. They can only cooperate with the police to deal with terrorist-related crimes committed by university students and staff, such as possession of jihad reading materials or membership of a terrorist organisation. Clearly, this is not enough to address the problem.

Hence, this webinar will discuss the problem of on-campus radicalisation and recommendations for a more holistic early response from the university administration and other stakeholders such as the police, civil society organisations (CSOs), and the campus community. They should play a collective and proactive role in tackling radicalisation with a long-term goal of building campus-community resilience.

Itinerary

1.55 pm – 2.00 pm | Admission of Participants
2.00 pm – 2.10 pm | Introduction by Ain Nasiehah
2.10 pm – 2.25 pm | Presentation of Policy Brief by Aizat Shamsuddin
2.25 pm – 3.15 pm | Discussion by Speakers
3.15 pm – 3.45 pm | Q&A with Participants
3.45 pm – 4.00 pm | Conclusion, Poll & Dispersal

Speakers Information

Ain Nasiehah
Research and Solution Officer,
All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM)-Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Ain Nasiehah works in the development sector specialising in gender and peace-building especially in Southeast Asian context. She has recently joined the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM)-Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as their Research and Solution Officer. She is also a research officer at the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY), an Asian Youth Peace Network (AYPN) member, a Southeast Asian youth network working on peace and conflict in the region. She has work experience in relation to project management, consultation, facilitation and research. Previously, she had also been involved in the capacity building of different segments of women in the community, from young women, refugees, migrants, indigenous people to professionals at the local level. She had 7 years of experience working with a number of local women’s rights organisations namely, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), Tenaganita (refugee and migrants organisation) and Selangor Women’s Empowerment Institute (IWB).

Aizat Shamsuddin
Founder & Director,
Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY)

Aizat Shamsuddin is an analyst and practitioner in the prevention of violent extremism (PVE), good governance, and human rights. He leads CSO-government preventive policy engagements, inter- and intra-faith dialogues, and more recently digital data developments to prevent extremism in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Besides, he founded Komuniti Muslim Universal in 2015 with other former radicalised youths to counter extremism with counternarratives. In recognition of his work in peace and security, he received Australia Awards scholarship from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ASEAN in 2018. Then, he completed his master’s degree in 2020 specialising in counterterrorism, conflict studies and political Islam from the University of Melbourne. As part of his global network in counter-extremism initiatives, he is an alumnus of German Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations and American Council of Young Political Leaders since 2018. Aizat was also trained in Sharia and law for 5 years at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia. His altruistic hope is to make the world a better place.

Irfan Amalee
Co-Founder & Executive Director,
Peace Generation Indonesia (PeaceGen)

Irfan Amalee is the co-founder and executive director of Peace Generation Indonesia (Peacegen). He founded Peacegen on the idea that young people can develop and practise their own approaches to peace, tolerance, and nonviolence as a deliberate alternative to the growing influence of religious and political extremism. By working with religious organisations to reach adolescents, Irfan aims his work at schools, extra-curricular clubs, and alumni networks where radicalization often takes place. He also has a Masters from Brandeis University (USA) and over 15 years of experience in publishing book and media for kids industry while serving as a CEO at Pelangi Mizan and Mizan Apps Publisher. He has published over 50 books, audios and videos including Encyclopedia for Muslim Kids, Islam for Kids, and 12 peace modules for kids. Irfan has awards including International Young Creative Entrepreneur 2008, UAJY Multiculturalism Award 2010 and Young Creative Enterprise from Kemenparekraf 2012. Irfan is also recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world by the The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre – RISSC, Aman, Jordan.

Dr. Nurul Miza Rashid
Lecturer,
Department of Psychology, Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (IIUM)

Dr. Nurul Miza is a lecturer at the Department of Psychology, Abdul Hamid Abu Sulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University of Malaysia. Nurul Miza teaches psychology courses including Media Psychology for undergraduates. She recently finished and passed her thesis on identifying risk factors of radicalisation in Malaysia at the same university she is currently teaching. She is currently in the work of building a rehabilitation module of ex-detainees and women in prevention against violent extremism. Her other research includes examining the dissemination of ideologies related to non-normative mindset through social media.

Eow Shiang Yen
General Secretary,
Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM)

Eow Shiang Yen is an alumnus of INITIATE.MY’s Peace Lab for Youth (PLY). He is currently a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) student in Community Nutrition at the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). His research focus is on maternal and infant gut health. He is also active and undertaking the leadership position in a number of youth- and religious-based organisations, including Executive Committee of Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) and General Secretary of Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia (YBAM). He is a peace-loving and easy-going individual, and he enjoys working with people of different backgrounds and celebrating differences instead of magnifying them.

Webinar Report 3/2022
1 file(s) 1.71 MB

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Closed Consultation on Youth Radicalisation in Malaysian Universities
2022-03-05 14:00 - 16:30
Place: Liberal Latte, Bukit Damansara
Date: 5th March 2022 (Saturday)
Time: 1.45 pm – 4.15 pm (MYT)
Attendance: 22 representatives from Malaysian CSOs, academics, university staff, religious and student leaders
Since 2016, the number of detained university students associated with cases of extremism is increasing and their radicalisation is propelled by extremist/terrorist groups from Islamist orientation. University students have always been the target to exploit their passion, curiosity, and anger about the world, religion, and injustices. Plus, they were exposed to extremist messages and ideologies via the internet, religious classes and close relationships with their academic instructors. Siti Noor Aishah Atam is a landmark case that illustrates student radicalisation in a public university. To unpack the phenomena of radicalisation amongst university students, there are two related factors. Firstly, pull factors like the employment of violence to destroy enemies, to represent communities at the margin and using violence as an alternative. Secondly, push factors that include ideal university environment, the search for hidayah or seeking for spiritual guidance and online radicalisation.
Attendees of this closed-consultation discussed the in-depth history of extremist/terrorist movement from the period of Jemaah Islamiah (JI) to Islamic State (IS) and pull and push factors of radicalisation among university students in Malaysia. Holistic recommendations were also explored to find ways to address this problem. The findings from this consultation will inform INITIATE.MY’s policy brief on on-campus radicalisation and community resilience.

Policy Brief Launch & Webinar on NAPPCVE: Empowering The Role of Civil Society Organisations
2022-02-24 14:00 - 16:00
[Closed Webinar]
Background:
The mandate to develop the National Action Plan on Prevention and Counter Violent Extremism (NAPPCVE) is derived from the United Nations General Assembly 70/674 in 2015 to address the changing threats of violent extremism. Many countries have come up with their own action plans, among them Indonesia (2020-2024) and Kenya (2020-2024). At the time of writing, Malaysia is still developing its NAP under the purview of the Home Affairs Ministry, with the launch expected in the first quarter of 2022.
The mandate puts forward an interdisciplinary “All-of-society” and “All-of-government” approach. Hence, civil society organisations (CSOs) are one of the key stakeholders in combating extremism and promoting peace. However, in the Malaysian context, more efforts are needed to empower the role of CSOs to achieve the overall success of NAP.
This webinar will present and explore the urgency of developing the National Action Plan for Malaysia and the role of CSOs in the development and implementation of NAP. Furthermore, viable recommendations to boost cooperation between a wider CSOs and government bodies/agencies based on the best practices learned.
Itinerary:
1.55 pm – 2.00 pm | Admission of Participants
2.00 pm – 2.10 pm | Introduction by Dr. Mukhriz Mat Rus
2.10 pm – 2.25 pm | Presentation of Policy Brief by Aizat Shamsuddin
2.25 pm – 3.15 pm | Discussion by Speakers
3.15 pm – 3.45 pm | Q&A with Participants
3.45 pm – 4.00 pm | Conclusion, Poll & Dispersal

Speakers’ Information
Dr. Mukhriz Mat Rus
Senior Lecturer,
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)
Dr. Mukhriz Mat Rus is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). Before joining the academia, he served at the Attorney General’s Chambers, Malaysia as Deputy Public Prosecutor (2008-2015). He is also a qualified advocate and solicitor (Malaya). Mukhriz obtained LL.B (Hons) in 2007 from the International Islamic University of Malaysia, and later LL.M from the National University of Malaysia in 2014. In 2019, he completed his Ph.D.(Criminal Justice & counter-terrorism) at School of Law, University of Leeds, United Kingdom. His doctoral research is about the criminalization approach in Malaysia’s counter-terrorism strategy. His areas of expertise and interest include international and domestic criminal law, criminal justice, counter-terrorism law, and human rights law.
Aizat Shamsuddin
Founder & Director,
Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY)
Aizat is an analyst and practitioner in the prevention of violent extremism (PVE), good governance, and human rights. Since 2015, he is the founder and project coordinator of Komuniti Muslim Universal. It was founded by former radicalised youth to counter extremism through counter-narratives, dialogues and preventive policy engagements in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. In recognition of his work in peace and security, he received Australia Awards scholarship from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ASEAN in 2018. Then, he completed his master’s degree specialising in counter-terrorism, conflict studies and political Islam from the University of Melbourne in 2020. As part of his global network in counter-extremism initiatives, he is an alumnus of German Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations and American Council of Young Political Leaders since 2018. Aizat is also trained in Sharia and law for 5 years at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia. His altruistic hope is to make the world a better place.
Dwi Rubiyanti Kholifah
Secretary General,
Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN)
Dwi Rubiyanti Kholifah (Ruby Kholifah) is Secretary General of the Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN). Her engagement in women peace and security started with the Indonesia program in 2007. With AMAN in Indonesia, she initiated Women School for Peace to facilitate a leadership incubator for women to strengthen community resilience through the role of women. Managing 39 Women’s School for Peace in 7 provinces of Indonesia, has involved more than 1500 interfaith mothers as leaders of change. In implementing UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), AMAN has been actively facilitating constructive engagement of CSO into the decision making process. As part of the drafting committee of National Action Plan (NAP) 1325 in Indonesia, AMAN has facilitated localisation of NAP 1325 (RAN P3AKS) into 15 provinces in Indonesia.
Dr. Ahmad El-Muhammady
Assistant Professor,
International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM)
Dr. Ahmad is an Assistant Professor at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC-IIUM). Besides that, he holds various external positions such as Associate Fellow at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT), The Hague, Netherlands; International Advisory Committee Member at Global Peace Institute (GPI), United Kingdom, Associate Research Fellow at the Accounting Research Institute (ARI), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia, and Deputy Director, Alumni Relations Division (ARD), IIUM. Since 2011, he works closely with the Special Branch’s Counter-Terrorism Division, Royal Malaysia Police and Prison Department to implement the Rehabilitation and Deradicalisation programs for individuals detained under terrorism laws in Malaysia. He is now a Co-principal investigator for a two-year research at the IIUM- ISTAC’s Extremism Analytical Unit in collaboration with the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses of Terrorism (START), University of Maryland (2018-2020) and consultant to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) to develop National Action Plan for Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (NAPPCVE) in Malaysia.
DCP Normah Ishak
Principal Assistant Director,
Special Branch’s Counter Terrorism Division (E8),Royal Malaysia Police
Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Normah Ishak has served in the Special Branch of the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) for 30 years. She spent the first 12 years of her service in the area of counter-espionage and counterintelligence. DCP Normah then ventured into protective security where she was deeply involved in a wide range of protection work in various capacities including physical protection of key infrastructures. She spent a total of 11 fulfilling years in protective security, during which she had the opportunity to contribute in ways that have resulted in significant outcomes for some of Malaysia’s landmarks and major infrastructures. From April 2016, DCP Normah has been serving in the field of counter-terrorism where she plans, coordinates and executes security operations against terrorism threats in Malaysia. Throughout her years with the RMP, DCP Normah received training in nuclear security matters and has participated in many engagement activities organised by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). DCP Normah is also an alumna of the FBI National Academy. She is currently the Principal Assistant Director in charge of the RMP’s Counter-Terrorism Division.

Webinar Report 2/2022
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Database Launch & Webinar on ‘The Importance of Datafication in Promoting Religious Freedom and Tolerance’
2022-02-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Malaysia, Malaysia
Watch Recording here
Background
Religious freedom and tolerance are a pillar for a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society like Malaysia. In promoting this, the scarcity of data remains a challenge to produce evidence-based responses from the government or civil society actors. Datafication of laws and cases can help understand the level of restrictions and emerging trends that impact religious freedom and tolerance in a particular context. It can guide various actors to produce informed, appropriate and effective responses such as legal reforms or advocacy programmes to address the matter at hand.
Thus, at this event INITIATE.MY will launch its first Databases on religious freedom and tolerance, and further explore the importance and challenges in relation to this issue in a webinar with eminent speakers from diverse backgrounds.
Some of the questions that this webinar intends to explore include, what are the challenges in relation to data in the fields of religious freedom and tolerance in Malaysia? Why is datafication important for the government and civil society actors to promote religious freedom and tolerance?
Itinerary
1.55 pm – 2.00 pm | Admission of Participants
2.00 pm – 2.15 pm | Database Launch by Aizat Shamsuddin
2.15 pm – 3.15 pm | Discussion by Speakers
3.15 pm – 3.45 pm | Q&A with Participants
3.45 pm – 4.00 pm | Conclusion, Poll & Dispersal

Speakers’ Information
Aizat Shamsuddin
Founder & Director,
Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY)
Aizat Shamsuddin is an analyst and practitioner in the prevention of violent extremism (PVE), good governance, and human rights. Since 2015, he is the founder and project coordinator of Komuniti Muslim Universal, a non-profit organisation founded by former radicalised youth to counter extremism through counternarratives, dialogues and preventive policy engagements and more recently data developments in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. In recognition of his work in peace and security, he received Australia Awards scholarship from Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ASEAN in 2018. Then, he completed his master’s degree specialising in counterterrorism, conflict studies and political Islam from the University of Melbourne in 2020. As part of his global network in counter-extremism initiatives, he is an alumnus of German Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations and American Council of Young Political Leaders since 2018. Aizat is also trained in Sharia and law for 5 years at the Islamic Science University of Malaysia. His altruistic hope is to make the world a better place.
Dr. Hew Wai Weng
Research Fellow,
Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS) UKM
Dr. Hew Wai Weng is research fellow at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (IKMAS, UKM). His research interests include the intersections between ethnicity, religiosity, class and politics in Malaysia and Indonesia. He writes about Chinese Muslim identities, Hui migration patterns, and urban middle class Muslim aspirations in Malaysia and Indonesia. He has been a visiting fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore, and Zentrum Moderner Orient (ZMO), Berlin. He is also the author of ‘Chinese Ways of Being Muslim: Negotiating Ethnicity and Religiosity in Indonesia’ (NIAS Press, 2018).
YB Syerleena Abdul Rashid
State Assemblyperson,
Sri Delima, Penang
YB Syerleena Abdul Rashid is currently the elected State Assemblyperson for Seri Delima in Penang. Syerleena had previously been appointed as a Councillor of the Penang Island City Council, serving for over three years between 2015 and 2018. She is also Democratic Action Party (DAP) Penang Assistant Publicity Secretary and DAP Wanita National Executive Committee Member. In addition to her political involvements, Syerleena had been a columnist for The Malaysian Insider and contributed extensively in various online news portals. She was also formerly a member of Aliran, a local non-governmental organisation, as well as an anti-human trafficking movement.
Adrian Pereira
Executive Director,
North South Initiative (NSI)
Adrian Pereira is the Executive Director and co-founder of North-South Initiative (NSI), a Human Rights and Social Justice orientated organisation based in Malaysia. NSI’s mission is to build a society that prioritises social justice via solidarity building. Adrian has also been involved in human rights and faith related advocacy as a member of Pax Romana. Besides interfaith dialogues in Malaysia, he has been working with young Muslims from Patani on conflict resolution via an internship program at NSI. This has helped in building strong solidarity between Malaysian and Patani youth over the years.
Kuek Ser Kuang Keng
Data Editor,
Rainforest Investigations Network, Pulitzer Center
Kuek Ser Kuang Keng is the data editor of the Rainforest Investigations Network established by the Pulitzer Center. He is also a data journalism trainer and media consultant based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Partnering with regional journalism organisations including Google News Initiatives, WAN-IFRA and Internews, he has been conducting regular digital journalism workshops since 2018, reaching over 1,000 journalists in Asia. He also provides consulting and mentoring to media organisations in data, visual and interactive journalism.

Webinar Report 1/2022
1 file(s) 2.24 MB

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Closed Consultation with Malaysian Civil Society Organisations on ‘the National Action Plan on Prevention and Counter Violent Extremism (NAPPCVE)’
2021-12-22 14:00 - 16:30
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Platform: Zoom Webinar
Date: 22nd December 2021 (Wednesday)
Time: 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm (MYT)
Attendance: 25 representatives from diverse Malaysian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
The Drafting Committee of the National Action Plan on Prevention and Counter Violent Extremism (NAPPCVE/NAP) organised a town hall on 18th November 2021 at Tenera Hotel to acquire feedback from Malaysian CSOs on the NAP zero draft. As of date, several CSOs who joined the consultation indicated that the process was selective and hasty. As of date, only three government-CSOs consultations were organised with a limited number of CSOs to give feedback on a zero draft that has been decided as opposed to being involved in the drafting process. It was concluded that the ongoing consultation process is exclusive and not transparent. Some of the most important CSOs who have directly or indirectly worked in the areas of Prevention/Counter of Violent Extremism (P/CVE) and human rights were not being involved and properly consulted. It is clear that the government is not serious about adopting the interdisciplinary “All-of-society” and “All-of-government” approach to address the drivers of violent extremism as mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 70/674 (2015). This should not have happened for a national-level policymaking process.
In response, INITIATE.MY organised an independent consultation on NAP on 22nd December 2021 with more than 25 representatives from a wider Malaysian CSOs to collect feedback and recommendations on the NAP drafting process. The participants agreed that the NAP process should be a stepping stone for the government to show honest commitments to address extremism and greater accountability in the security area. Hence, the role of CSOs is vital in a national-level democratic process like the NAP to localise the approaches and ensure the sustainable impacts in addressing violent extremism. The independent consultation has resulted in the collection of feedback and recommendations to develop holistic NAP, and the formation of the first civil society P/CVE network in Malaysia to exchange knowledge and best practices in relation to P/CVE. The outcome of this consultation was documented in a report on Malaysian Civil Society Organisations’ (CSOs) Recommendations on the National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (NAPPCVE).

Peace Lab For Youth
2021-10-15 - 2021-11-15
Peace Lab for Youth (PLY) is a one-month initiative that starts with a workshop series and concludes with a summit that includes the participation of diverse youths and presenters from government agencies, civil society organisations, academia and businesses. PLY is one of INITIATE.MY’s public advocacy initiatives to empower young advocates of peace and tolerance to build social resilience against violent and nonviolent extremism in Malaysia. PLY curriculum includes Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB), Radicalisation, Advocacy Tools, Advocacy Skills and Project Implementation & Reporting.
PLY recognises the role of youth in the promotion of peace, human rights and nonviolence. This is in line with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015), 2419 (2018) and 2535 (2020).
For more information, please download our Peace Lab For Youth Handbook here.
