DEFENCE WHITE PAPER 32. Terrorist activities such as spreading radical ideology, recruiting, suicide attacks and kidnappings have caused chaos, instilled fear and threatened public safety in various parts of the region. Most attacks have been targeted at governments, Western interests, places of worship and entertainment outlets. In June 2016, a bar in Puchong was attacked with a grenade, injuring eight people. Subsequently in 2017, Philippines-based militants attempted to emulate Daesh’s modus operandi by trying to establish an affiliated province in Marawi. This led to an urban warfare with the government forces attempting to retake the place. In July 2018, a suicide car bomb attack in Basilan, Philippines, killed 11. The perpetrator is believed to be a Daesh member from Morocco, based in the southern Philippines. Such incidents could happen in other parts of this region. 33. Terror incidents in Malaysia and neighbouring countries have proved that the return of experienced terrorists after the defeat of Daesh in Syria and Iraq, poses increased risks to Southeast Asia. To stay relevant after its downfall, Daesh has reiterated the need to continue the war in its supporters’ home countries. The international terrorist organisation has been manipulating social media to propagate and spread its narratives to followers. The death of Daesh’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October 2019 has raised concerns of possible acts of revenge by his followers. 34. Extremist threats throughout the world are often linked to online self-radicalisation. Amateurs or lone wolf attackers can easily get information through internet sources which could influence them to become terrorists. 25