COMMENT | The question of why educated, respected, and successful professionals turn to extremism is both psychological and sociological. Their radicalisation is not born of deprivation, but of conviction.

Many are drawn by a deep moral disillusionment or frustration with perceived global injustices. They see violence not as cruelty, but as sacrifice, i.e. a way to correct what they view as a moral imbalance in the world.

Extremist recruiters understand this psychology well. They appeal not to greed but to pride, offering educated minds a sense of purpose and superiority.

Professionals also offer terrorists what they lack: sophistication. They bring structure, knowledge, and access to systems that can make extremist operations appear legitimate.

The engineer knows how to build. The accountant knows how to hide transactions. The lecturer knows how to persuade. The doctor knows how to gain trust. Each professional skill becomes a potential tool in the hands of ideology.

Malaysia’s cases illustrate...