Mukhriz Mat Rus

Mukhriz Mat Rus is a Visiting Fellow (Rule of Law) at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) from January to March 2025. His research focuses on the criminal justice response to terrorism, with a particular emphasis on Malaysia and selected Southeast Asian countries. Mukhriz investigates the application of criminal law and procedures in addressing and preventing terrorism, examining the criminalisation of terrorism-related activities, the use of exceptional legal processes, and the adoption of extraordinary evidentiary rules. His work critically evaluates how these measures, if implemented without adequate safeguards, could undermine the rule of law and fundamental rights.

A former prosecutor turned academic, Mukhriz earned his PhD in Law from the University of Leeds, United Kingdom, in 2019. His doctoral research explored Malaysia’s counter-terrorism strategy through a criminalisation approach, drawing comparisons with the UK’s prosecution-based policies. He also holds an LL.B (Hons) from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (2017) and an LL.M from the National University of Malaysia (2014). Before transitioning to academia, he served as Deputy Public Prosecutor at the Attorney General’s Chambers, Malaysia, from 2008 to 2015. He currently serves as a Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM).

Mukhriz is actively involved in research, consultancy, and training on criminal justice, counter-terrorism, and the prevention of violent extremism. He has been invited as a resource person and subject matter expert by prominent national and international organizations, including the Royal Malaysia Police, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). He also served as Lead Researcher for the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Thematic Study on the Rights of Accused Persons in ASEAN countries. In addition to his academic and policy work, Mukhriz frequently collaborates with civil society organizations to advocate for balanced, rights-based approaches to counter-terrorism.