A recent case involving a suspected Islamic State (IS) militant apparently turned out to be a case of mental illness.

Having just graduated from the Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia (UIA), Muhammad Hudzaifah Shubli Yasin grabbed headlines on Wednesday night after news broke out that he claimed to be a member of the terror group and was supposedly carrying a bomb at the Kementah army camp.

No bombs were found and those close to the 30-year-old confirmed that Hudzaifah instead suffers from a mental illness and is in no way a member of IS.

But Hudzaifah seems not alone in this.

UIA lecturer Maszlee Malik, who also taught Hudzaifah when he was a student at the varsity, said many of those who claim to be members of the terror group actually suffer from mental illnesses.

“I am certain that such individuals (who suffer from mental illnesses) are among those that were detained (as IS militant suspects),” said Maszlee to Malaysiakini .

Most of these lone wolves, said Maszlee, suffer from bipolar disorder and would hallucinate whenever they forget to take their medication.

While such individuals could turn aggressive, Maszlee said only psychiatrists could really determine their real condition.

Meanwhile, a source close to Hudzaifah, who declined to be named, said he indeed suffers from bipolar disorder.

“I knew about his condition since 2012. I first noticed his behaviour in class.

“For example, on Monday he would be normal like any of us but the next day, he will be overexcited with his ideas to change the world,” said Hudzaifah’s friend who helped him with his medication on campus.

“When he doesn’t take his medication, his bipolar personality will return.”

His friend believes that Hudzaifah did not take his medication on the day of the incident.

Holistic approach

A check on Hudzaifah’s Facebook page states him as being the ‘supreme leader’ of a ‘Barisan Islam Malaysia’.

His friend is of the opinion that claiming to be an IS member was simply a way for Hudzaifah to attract the attention.

“But one thing is for sure and I can definitely confirm this; he is not an IS member.”

Hudzaifah has since been ordered by the Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court to undergo a one-month mental health evaluation at Hospital Bahagia Tanjung Rambutan, Perak.

Maszlee, meanwhile, urges the authorities to view the matter through multiple lenses.

Psychologists and psychiatrists should be roped in in efforts to de-radicalise and rehabilitate these people, he stressed.

“A holistic approach should be utilised to address this issue and this should not be constricted to security, religious and legal aspects only," said Maszlee.

The country has been placed on the highest alert level following the terrorist attack in Jakarta last week.

Several incidences where bags were left at public places had understandably alarmed many who fear a similar attack occurring in Malaysia.