Not every act of violence is terrorism — Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid
SEPTEMBER 21 — The recent High Court verdict involving the 15-year-old boy who was acquitted of murder on grounds...
The recent High Court verdict in Malaysia involving a 15-year-old boy acquitted of murder on the grounds of insanity serves as a crucial reminder that not every act of violence can be classified as terrorism, according to Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid. While the tragedy of the loss of life is undeniable, the court's decision underscores the importance of maintaining a distinction between violent acts and terrorism.
It highlights that the seriousness or brutality of an act does not inherently determine its legal classification, and that extreme youth violence should not be hastily attributed to violent extremism or terrorism. This distinction is particularly vital in a society where there is an increasing tendency to label any unexplained act of violence as terrorism or extremism, potentially leading to dangerous consequences.
The article also emphasizes that terrorism must be clearly defined by a demonstrable ideological nexus and a legally sustainable basis, rather than as a catch-all category for any shocking act of violence.
Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
