THE DEVELOPMENT OF ISLAMIC STATE (IS) THREATS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA: CASE STUDY OF TERRORISM NETWORK IN SOUTHERN THAILAND, MALAYSIA, SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES AND INDONESIA: A FRAMEWORK FOR A FURTHER RESEARCH

Abstract

The development of the Islamic State in the Southeast Asian region focused on the countries or sub-regions with a Muslim majority, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Southern Philippines, and Southern Thailand.  Specific impacts had shown their effective networking movement around the region.  This study aims to provide a risk analysis and development of Southeast Asia's Islamic State (IS).  This study uses qualitative and quantitative approaches with the Borda, TOPSIS and Risk Matrix methods.  Preliminary findings of the qualitative method have shown that the respective area of research has a severe problem due to IS threats based on priority, namely, the southern Philippines, Indonesia, southern Thailand, and Malaysia respectively.  Further research and findings based on a quantitative approach will indicate and confirm the threat’s seriousness.  A transparent organisation and management model at the regional level to curb and control IS, and other terrorism threats should be established.  It is necessary to upgrade and enhance operational and intelligence efforts to defeat the IS in the region.