Khairy: Ministry intensifies strategies to draw youth away from extremism

PUTRAJAYA: The youth and sports ministry is coordinating with various youth organisations and experts to reach out to the targeted group to educate them on the dangers of militancy and extremism.
Minister, Khairy Jamaluddin (pix) said the ministry was also studying various aspects, including the social media platform on how youth could be easily influenced and recruited into joining the extremist group.
"We are extremely concerned about the radicalisation of young people in Malaysia.
"So, we bring a lot of experts to universities and youth associations to talk to our youth to ensure they know how radicalisation happens," he told reporters after attending the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House at Sri Perdana here today.
Khairy said his ministry had been working with the home ministry for preventive action, especially in terms of security while his ministry focused on education and awareness.
"How does recruitment happen online? This is very important because people are recruited online by groups like Daesh without knowing, sometimes.
"They may be recruited via political messages, religious messages after they become radicalised," he said.
He added that the ministry would organise more programmes such as the International Volunteer Programme to allow more young Malaysians to contribute positively overseas.
"Now, we have 50 young Malaysians in Cambodia helping out in community work. We need more budget to expand this programme.
"If we can give young Malayians an opportunity to serve internationally by doing good community work, then the tendency to join radicalised organisations to so-called 'change the world' will be reduced," said Khairy. — Bernama