Lone wolf: Mental disorders can cause individuals to act aggressive
"Individuals with mental issues did not have a realistic assessment of the consequences of their actions due to delusions and hallucinations."
SHAH ALAM - A complex combination of psychological, social, and neurobiological factors can drive individuals to commit crimes alone, without being influenced by organised groups.
Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) criminologist Dr Zalmizy Hussin said that mental pressure or psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) could also account for such actions.
Moreover, in criminal psychology, he said several key external aspects such as psychological profile, life background and mental stress factors also explained the phenomenon.
"A criminal's psychological profile often shows certain personality traits such as narcissism, aggressiveness and lack of empathy.
"They have high self-confidence and a sense of invulnerability to the law, which drives them to act boldly.
"Additionally, a background filled with trauma or abuse can also trigger such behaviour, along with feelings of isolation or anger towards society," he said when contacted on Sunday.
Zalmizy added individuals with mental issues did not have a realistic assessment of the consequences of their actions due to delusions and hallucinations.
"In some cases, they believe they are on an important mission or feel threatened by authorities, which drives them to act aggressively," he said.
He did not rule out the possibility that such determined actions could also be related to radical ideology or political motivation.
However, he clarified that this condition must take into account the suspect's mental state, which may be disturbed by such beliefs.
Last Friday, a 21-year-old man attacked the Ulu Tiram police station and subsequenly killed two policemen - Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar and Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said.
Ths suspect also shot and injured another policeman, Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan, before being shot dead.
While the man was a member of the Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), the terrorist group did not appear to be involved.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said it was a lone wolf attack.
