The Malaysian approach to deradicalization is facing significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The split between public and private entities towards violent extremist rehabilitation jeopardizes the effectiveness of mandatory deradicalization programs in Malaysian prisons.
Mohd Mizan Aslam
Mohd Mizan Aslam is a member of the National Panel for Deradicalization, a special task-force unit for rehabilitation program to terrorist inmates. Mizan also works with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) of Malaysia in developing modules for the program. Mizan was awarded Honorary Major by the Malaysian Armed Forces in September 2016 to recognize his contribution in the field of security, anti-terrorism and deradicalization. He is a founder and the first director of the Malaysian Research Institute for Strategic Studies (MyRISS). He also works with the Middle Eastern Institute (MEI), Washington, USA as a Country Expert in analysing terrorism and extremism issues in MENA. Mizan holds professorships at several universities including Naif Arab University for Security Sciences (NAUSS) and University Islam Sultan Yusof (UNIS).