36 Bangladeshis arrested in Malaysia for alleged militant links

Malaysian authorities have arrested 36 Bangladeshi nationals for alleged involvement in militant activities, the country's Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail confirmed on Friday.

In an official statement, the minister said the arrests took place during three separate operations conducted between April 24 and June 27 in the Selangor and Johor states.

According to the ministry, the group is suspected of promoting extremist ideologies linked to the Islamic State (IS). Authorities claim they were spreading radical beliefs within their own community, fundraising for terrorist activities, and attempting to establish a cell aimed at toppling the government in Bangladesh.

“Malaysia will not provide refuge to any foreign extremist movement. National security threats will be taken seriously,” said Saifuddin.

He added that any effort to turn Malaysia into a base or transit hub for extremist operations would face strict and immediate action.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out further arrests.