From the 2013 prison breakout from Abu Ghraib came the leadership of a political movement that has grabbed territory, economic resources and headlines. Interest in the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria rose sharply with news that Malaysians were not only fighting for the group but had died in suicide bombings. Recovering from an early faux pas, the Prime Minister has joined much of the international community in condemning the brutality of the conflict. Domestic responses include a White Paper tabled in Parliament and a proposed new anti-terrorism law. Will we be able to balance the needs of national security against the rights of individuals and civil liberties?

Annabelle Lee contributed to this report.