ABSTRACT
In the spectrum of conflict in ASEAN space, insurgency and terrorism is preceded by extremism and exclusivism. The strategy to prevent violent extremism (PVE) is to engage extremists while they live within their communities. Likewise, the strategy to counter violent extremism (CVE) is to engage in rehabilitation to deradicalize terrorists. Working in the pre-insurgency and pre-terrorism space is complex, but cost-effective. Implementing PVE and CVE strategies requires governments to collaborate with a range of partners, especially civil society organizations, to reach out, influence and shape the human terrain. An indispensable weapon in the fight against terrorism and extremism is rehabilitation and community engagement. Unless governments work with partners to rehabilitate terrorists and extremists, they will continue to pose a threat to security, spread their ideology, and be hailed as heroes. With terrorism and extremism emerging as the tier-one national security threat, it is vital for governments to restore stability and security by developing rehabilitation programmes for inmates and engagement programmes for radicalized individuals in the community. The Southeast Asian region has recognized the significance of rehabilitation, but not all the countries challenged by terrorism have succeeded in developing rehabilitation capabilities. While Malaysia and Singapore developed comprehensive and structured programmes, Indonesia and the Philippines developed ad hoc and unstructured programmes. Although the capabilities differed from country to country, ten modes of rehabilitation are practiced in the region. These are: (1) religious; (2) social and family; (3) educational; (4) vocational; (5) entrepreneurial; (6) cultural; (7) financial; (8) creative arts; (9) recreational; and (10) psychological.
