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2024 saw numerous terrorism-related arrests in Malaysia, with online radicalisation being rampant. As per media reports, 54 percent of the cases in Malaysia involve support to Islamic State (ISIS) members via online platforms. Facebook is the most popular, apart from Telegram, Instagram, and TikTok. The use of social media to spread extremist narratives carries significant regional security implications affecting not only Malaysia but also neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and even India.
An online radicalisation trend springs from a confluence of digital penetration, ideological influences, and lax online policing. Social media sites like Facebook and TikTok and encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp have developed into effective instruments for extremist organisations to disseminate propaganda and recruit new members. More than 97 percent of Malaysians have access to the internet, with approximately 44.55 million mobile phones in the year 2024, crossing to 129 percent.
As per DataReportal’s 2024 report, there are around 28.68 million active social media user identities in Malaysia, while Kepios analysis shows that social media users in Malaysia increased by 4.8 million, which is around a 20 percent rise from 2023 to 2024. Political narratives and economic frustrations among young people without jobs or with low incomes facilitate recruitment. Malaysia’s radicalisation primarily indicates the spread of extremist ideologies rather than overt acts of violence, as observed in some other Southeast Asian nations. A comparison of regional trends in social media-driven radicalism is provided below:
| Country |
Social Media Influence |
Online Radicalisation |
Key Factors |
| Malaysia |
96 percent |
Rising, especially among youth |
Social polarisation, returnees, weak online monitoring |
| Indonesia |
74 percent |
Still significant, but more offline recruitment |
Presence of Jammat-e-Islami networks, religious extremism in madrassas |
| Philippines |
73 percent |
More physical radicalisation than online |
Armed extremist groups (Abu Sayyaf, Maute), weak law enforcement in conflict zones |
| Thailand |
78 percent |
Low online radicalisation |
Southern insurgencies are regionally confined, not global jihadist-linked |
Source: Data compiled by authors
Given these trends of internet accessibility and social media spread, foreign extremist groups have been evidently successful in carrying out online radicalisation due to drivers like religious ideology, political polarisation, and digital penetration. For example, IS-linked networks have actively utilised social media and encrypted messaging apps to disseminate tailored propaganda and recruit vulnerable youths. Encrypted messaging apps, which still play a role in recruiting and indoctrinating individuals, remain fertile ground for extremist propaganda.
Social media's role in radicalisation
A significant trend in Malaysia is the recent increase in terrorism cases linked to the IS. Self-radicalised individuals who were motivated by the group’s ideology appeared to be involved in the majority of the cases. While most cases have remained in the planning or ideological support phase, online radicalisation occasionally escalates to concerning levels, as evidenced in the Ulu Tiram attack. Here a 20-year-old individual, Radin Luqman bin Radin Imran, motivated by the IS ideology after extensive exposure to extremist content online, stormed a police station on 17 May 2024, killing two officers before being fatally shot. The only difference between this trend and prior years is that those who were previously detained were radicalised on social media by prominent Malaysian militants associated with IS in Iraq and Syria during the group’s active years. A significant number of those arrested in the country have a strong social media presence, with Facebook being the most used platform for IS-related content.
A significant trend in Malaysia is the recent increase in terrorism cases linked to the IS. Self-radicalised individuals who were motivated by the group’s ideology appeared to be involved in the majority of the cases.
Encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Element, TamTam, Threema, and Hoop have allowed the extremists to communicate and plan activities beyond the security agencies’ surveillance. Pro-IS media networks like the At-Tamkin Malay Media Foundation have emerged, using digital platforms to incite violence and recruit supporters. In February 2024, the Al-Aan Foundation made a recruitment video openly calling on Malaysians to migrate and to ‘rise up’ for oppressed Muslims across the globe, such as those affected by the conflict in Gaza. Militants from Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines were called to ‘make hijrah’ and pledge allegiance to ISIS
Impact beyond Malaysia
The widespread circulation of extremist online propaganda in Malaysia has implications for Southeast Asia. Historically, there have been connections between Malaysian and Indonesian radical militants. As a result, the IS-inspired activities observed in Malaysia have the potential to affect neighbouring countries by fuelling radicalisation, undermining trust in government institutions, and complicating efforts to counter violent extremism. Militant groups have long taken advantage of the weak maritime borders between Malaysia, Indonesia, and the southern Philippines to facilitate cross-border recruitment and logistical support.
Despite years of counterterrorism operations, the Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups continue to operate in the Southern Philippines. Reports have noted the spread of extremist narratives on social media in the Philippines as well, which is impacting vulnerable individuals. These instances highlight how digital radicalisation pathways in Malaysia could drive broader regional security concerns, potentially energising militant networks in insurgency susceptible zones like Mindanao and Sulawesi. The strategic concern lies in how self-radicalised Malaysian individuals might leverage digital connections to establish operational relationships with pre-established insurgent groups across Southeast Asia, thereby reinforcing transnational extremist networks and creating new vectors for regional instability.
Militant groups have long taken advantage of the weak maritime borders between Malaysia, Indonesia, and the southern Philippines to facilitate cross-border recruitment and logistical support.
Malaysia has served as a major transit point for jihadist networks, especially those connected to IS-affiliated cells and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). ISIS-K, formally known as Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP), an IS affiliate operating primarily in the Afghanistan-Pakistan and Central Asian regions and other extremist organisations have used Malaysia's digital landscape to disseminate radical ideology throughout Southeast Asia and South Asia. Additionally, Indian security agencies suspect online radicalisation efforts coming from Southeast Asian extremist networks that have targeted people in India.
The security threats posed by Southeast Asian radicalisation networks to India's domain have been further highlighted by the Cyber Crime Units. It has identified Malaysian-based digital channels utilised for ISIS recruiting. This digital nexus has been significantly amplified by the controversial presence of Zakir Naik in Malaysia, whose inflammatory rhetoric has created additional vectors for radicalisation. The Malaysian government's previous protection of Naik, despite his designation as a religious extremist by India, has facilitated transnational ideological networks that complement digital recruitment channels.
Tackling online radicalisation threats
Malaysian authorities have implemented a comprehensive, wide-ranging strategy to combat online radicalisation, recognising the growing threat posed by extremist content on digital platforms. This involves collaboration between the Ministry of Education, religious authorities, and security agencies, aiming to equip young Malaysians with critical thinking skills to resist extremist narratives. The Online Safety Bill passed in December 2024, introduced stricter regulations on social media platforms, holding them accountable for failing to moderate harmful content. A dedicated cyber policing unit under the Royal Malaysia Police has been established to monitor, investigate, and respond quickly to online crimes. The Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-Terrorism conducts outreach programmes for students, civil servants, and the wider public to raise awareness about radicalisation and religious extremism.
Malaysian authorities have implemented a comprehensive, wide-ranging strategy to combat online radicalisation, recognising the growing threat posed by extremist content on digital platforms.
The government has promoted anonymous reporting channels, such as public hotlines, encouraging citizens to report suspicious online behaviour. Inter-agency cooperation between the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and the Ministry of Communications ensure constant monitoring of extremist content online, along with swift removal of harmful material. Malaysia also works closely with social media companies, securing information-sharing agreements to aid investigations and curb terrorist propaganda. Alongside domestic efforts, Malaysia fosters regional intelligence cooperation to address cross-border radicalisation threats. Through this combination of preventive measures, the government aims to curb online radicalisation in an increasingly digital landscape. Conclusion
Online radicalisation is going strong in Malaysia, showing how extremist threats have changed in the digital world. Old-school terrorist groups aren't as strong, but social media and messaging apps lead to getting new members to brainwash people and plan attacks. Online radicalisation is becoming a bigger problem in the region and across borders. Despite countermeasures by Malaysia, the threat continues to loom. As extremist ideas change, ways to fight terrorism must change, too. This will keep the area safe and protect online spaces from the risks of radicalisation. Using tough and gentle methods—like better online intelligence and teaching people about the dangers—will reduce the long-term effects of online extremism in Malaysia, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
Soumya Awasthi is a Fellow at the Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology at the Observer Research Foundation.
Purushraj Patnaik is a Research Intern at the Observer Research Foundation.
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