Publication

This working paper addresses the issue of Islamist violence in Malaysia, chronicling the few cases in the country's modern history. The paper introduces Islamism in Malaysia and outlines Islamic-related violence within the formative stages of Islamic resurgence. Subsequently, the paper sheds light on the doctrine of Kafir-Mengkafir and the Memali incident of November 1985 as well as on the Al-Ma'Unah affair of July 2000. The paper argues that there is thin evidence to support a posited relationship between Islam and violence and that there is no imminent threat of an Islamic state emerging in Malaysia via militant means.