Southeast Asian Nations Taking no Chances after Paris Attacks

The Straits Times

18 November 2015

South-east Asia is on high alert to prevent a repeat of last Friday’s deadly attacks in Paris, as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) threatens to launch more strikes.

In Manila, about 20,000 security and emergency services personnel have been deployed to secure the capital city, where no fewer than 17 heads of state are attending the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit starting today.

Kuala Lumpur, which is hosting the 27th Asean Summit followed by the East Asia Summit this weekend, has mobilised more than 4,000 police officers at key locations.

… Dr Damien Dominic Cheong, from the Centre of Excellence for National Security at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said some of these men could be dispatched to carry out attacks or conduct other operational activities like recruitment.

“In any case, such returnees have increased ‘street cred’ from being in Iraq or Syria and, in some cases, fighting for ISIS. As such, they could be used for both radicalisation and counter-radicalisation purposes,” said Dr Cheong.

“For the former, they would instantly attract followers and sympathisers, thereby making the establishment of cells or groups easier.”

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