IS threatens to attack three Southeast Asian countries

The Islamic State (IS) group has warned that Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia are among its next targets.

Police at the scene of an IS attack in Jakarta, Indonesia in January. Photo: AP

The latest issue of IS's propaganda magazine Dabiq published a list of Tawaghit countries (countries that worship gods other than Allah) including: Afghanistan, Iraq, Algeria, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Somalia, Yemen, Tunisia, Libya, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt will be their next attack targets,New Straits Timestoday news

Mr. Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, nThe head of the Malaysian Federal Police's special counter-terrorism division (SB-CTD) said the information could increase terrorist threats to Malaysia in particular and Southeast Asia in general.

According to Mr. Pitchay, IS considers all Muslim countries that implement democracy and hold general elections according to the Constitution as apostate countries and according to Sharia law, the blood of the people of these countries will have to be shed.

“Dabiq magazine said that the reason IS recently attacked the Muslim Brotherhood organization based in Egypt is because any political party, organization and Islamic movement involved in political activities and elections are considered apostate by them,” Mr. Pitchay affirmed.

The head of Malaysia's counter-terrorism agency added that IS-linked suspects arrested in Malaysia during terror raids have also made similar statements.

Accordingly, another reason why Malaysia is included in the target list is that the country is believed to have practiced heretical rituals (bid'ah), including visiting graves, which IS believes is an act of worshiping the Angel of Death.

Malaysia's second appearance on Dabiq's list, the first at number 13 in January, could further embolden IS supporters in Malaysia.

According to VNE