KUCHING, July 11 — Malaysia will maintain a zero-tolerance policy against the spread of extremist and radical ideologies to preserve the long-term peace, stability, and foundational unity of the nation’s multi-racial society.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof stated that successfully neutralizing radical threats requires the proactive construction of a progressive, moderate populace alongside robust character development anchored firmly in baseline religious values.

Fadillah shared these parameters with members of the press following the official opening ceremony of the 2026M/1448H Sustainability of Nusantara Islamic Thought Seminar here today. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay was also in attendance at the regional security event.

“The responsibility cannot rest with the government alone. It requires the cooperation of families, educational institutions and the wider community to prevent extremist ideologies from taking root at an early stage,” Fadillah emphasized.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that establishing a firm moral foundation within the community serves as the most reliable safeguard to immunize vulnerable demographics against subversive theological or political narratives.

“Character and values are the most effective long-term defence because individuals with strong moral principles are less likely to be influenced by radical or extremist ideologies. Character building must therefore be given priority, particularly through moral education based on the Quran and Sunnah,” he added.

While recognizing that security legislation remains a vital tool within the government’s enforcement apparatus, Fadillah argued that statutory penalties must be balanced alongside social harmony, national safety parameters, and international law benchmarks.

“Legislation should be the last resort. Priority should instead be given to nurturing a society guided by strong moral values, which provides the best defence against the spread of extremist ideologies,” the Deputy Prime Minister explained.

Providing an enforcement perspective, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay highlighted the historical efficacy of the repealed Internal Security Act (ISA) in maintaining internal stability.

Ayob Khan characterized the former preventive law as one of the most powerful mechanisms for preemptively neutralizing threats to national security, inter-racial and inter-religious friction, deviant theological doctrines, and sensitive matters concerning race, religion, and royalty (3R).

The Deputy IGP noted that during the period the ISA was operational, security forces possessed the definitive legal jurisdiction to execute immediate intervention protocols whenever a dangerous movement or heterodox teaching threatened national security or violated rulings issued by the National Fatwa Council, circumventing the need to wait for lengthy inter-agency processes or independent enforcement actions by State Islamic Religious Departments.

-NMT