KUALA LUMPUR – Recent reports of exploding pagers and walkie-talkies being used as weapons against Hezbollah members have raised concerns about the safety of electronic devices and whether such attacks could happen in Malaysia.
The incidents, suspected to be orchestrated by Israel, are not the first time its intelligence agency, Mossad, has conducted covert operations against its enemies abroad, including in Malaysia.
Andrin Raj, Southeast Asia Regional Director of the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals (IACSP), noted that while Israel does not see Malaysia as a major threat, the country’s ties with Iran and Hamas are on its radar.
Andrin acknowledged that Israel could compromise electronic devices in Malaysia, as it did in Lebanon, but would likely only resort to such measures if necessary.
“If the Israelis want to monitor Malaysia, they can do so remotely and discreetly,” he said. “Hamas has been under Israeli surveillance in Malaysia for a long time. If anyone is on Israel’s hit list, they wouldn’t escape, even on Malaysian soil,” Andrin said when contacted.
Despite the low probability of such attacks occurring in Malaysia, Andrin urged vigilance. He pointed out that communication channels here could be intercepted by security agencies and added that Malaysia may not be fully prepared for high-tech security breaches.
Andrin advised that Malaysia invest in the necessary infrastructure and expertise to guard against cyber-attacks.
Security analyst Datuk Ruhanie Ahmad echoed Andrin’s sentiments, noting that while the likelihood of Israel launching cyber-attacks in Malaysia remains low due to the absence of Hezbollah members in the country, the need for constant alertness remains.
Ruhanie said Malaysia already has anti-cyberterrorism measures in place, involving cooperation between local agencies, which help maintain national security. He also mentioned that Malaysia’s neutral foreign policy reduces the risk of such attacks.
“We have no evidence of Hezbollah members in Malaysia, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t stay alert,” Ruhanie said. “Following the September 11 attacks, Malaysia’s anti-terrorism capabilities gained global recognition, even earning praise from former US President George W. Bush.
“While we are a neutral nation, we remain vocal about the massive human rights violations committed by Israel in Palestine and Lebanon,” Ruhanie added.
A new age of warfare: miniaturised weapons
Captain Martin A. Sebastian, Director of the Centre for Global Peace Solutions, highlighted the growing reliance on technology and automation in warfare, as seen in the conflict zones of Ukraine and the Middle East.
Sebastian said modern weapons, which can be operated remotely and are often untraceable, have transformed warfare. He cited the use of drones in the Russian-Ukraine conflict as an example.
However, Sebastian warned that as weapons become smaller and more advanced, they could also be exploited by non-state actors such as organised crime syndicates and terror groups.
“There have already been cases in Malaysia where drones were used to smuggle drugs into prisons,” Sebastian said. “These same drones could be repurposed to attack police vehicles, for instance.
“Technology that was once designed to make our lives easier has now become both a friend and a foe. Anything we carry in our pockets could be weaponised,” he added.
Sebastian emphasised the need for Malaysia’s security measures to evolve alongside the changing nature of warfare. He advocated for stronger cybersecurity protocols, starting with enhanced firewalls to prevent unauthorised access to critical systems.
On September 17 and 18, a large number of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah militants exploded simultaneously across Lebanon.
According to the BBC, 32 people, including two children, were killed in the attacks, with thousands more injured.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, Israel is widely suspected, given the ongoing conflict between Northern Israel and Southern Lebanon.
Following the explosions, Israel launched airstrikes in Lebanon, killing Hezbollah leader Ibrahim Aqil and several others.
Last night, Israel confirmed airstrikes on 400 targets in Southern Lebanon after 10 Hezbollah rockets were reportedly fired into Northern Israel. – September 23, 2024