Global terror network the Islamic State has reportedly launched a Malay-language propaganda newspaper, soon after its first ever attack on Malaysian soil.
Berita Harian reports that the Al Fatihin newspaper, was launched on June 20 in Southern Philippines and is being distributed to supporters and sympathisers in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and southern Thailand.
The daily quoted a source as saying the publication could be deemed an ‘unofficial warning’ to the Malay archipelago.
“This psychological campaign means that the terrorists have a big objective, which is to expand their influence among people who understand the Malay language,” the Malay-language daily quoted the source as saying, as reported by the Malay Mail Online.
“Based on the way the language is used, we believe the writer or editor of the paper may be from this country,” the source was quoted further.
According to a paper by the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore last month, its first publication was a 20-page edition that focused heavily on the significance of Ramadan, jihad and the rituals of fasting.
“In fact, the first three pages contain advice from the Egyptian ideologue Abu Hamzah al-Muhajir, aka Abu Ayyub al-Masri, calling on IS fighters to continue their jihadist activities, search for martyrdom and kill and crucify the polytheists, disbelievers, oppressors and transgressors,” the paper stated.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar recently warned that the IS are planning more attacks in Malaysia after the Movida nightclub grenade attack which injured eight people.
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