'36 Bangladeshis arrested in Malaysia for funding ISIS in Syria and Bangladesh'

Malaysian police have arrested 36 Bangladeshis on charges of involvement in terrorism, accusing them of sending funds to Islamic State (ISIS) cells operating in Syria and Bangladesh.

Inspector General of Police Mohammad Khalid Ismail revealed this on Friday during a press conference that the suspects, mostly factory, construction, and service sector workers, were detained as part of a series of operations conducted since April this year.

Since an ISIS attack in 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian authorities have arrested hundreds of suspected militants, although the frequency of such arrests has declined in recent years due to intensified regional crackdowns.

Malaysia relies heavily on foreign labor, with many Bangladeshis migrating annually to fill workforce shortages in agriculture, industry, and construction.

According to Khalid Ismail, the arrested group, known locally as “Gerakan Militan Radikal Bangladesh” (GMRB), recruited members from among Bangladeshi workers through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, where they spread extremist ideologies.

The group reportedly used international money transfer services and e-wallets to send funds to ISIS operatives in Syria and Bangladesh. Evidence of financial transactions was uncovered by the Counter-Terrorism Division of Malaysia’s Special Branch.

Preliminary investigations suggest the group collected funds through membership fees, with each member required to pay approximately 500 Malaysian ringgit annually. The exact amount raised remains under investigation.

The police chief confirmed ongoing inquiries into possible links between the group and regional or international ISIS networks. He emphasized continued cooperation with law enforcement agencies and Interpol to dismantle the terror network.

Of the 36 arrested, five have been formally charged with terrorism offenses, while 15 are scheduled for deportation. The remaining 16 remain in custody pending further investigation.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail initially announced the arrests on June 27, describing the group’s efforts to spread ISIS ideology in Malaysia and establish recruitment cells.

Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser Towhid Hossain stated that the Bangladeshi government is seeking detailed information and expects clarity on the case within days. He confirmed that those with clear charges would face trial, while others might be repatriated after further review.

The incident has raised concerns about its potential impact on visa issuance for Bangladeshis abroad. Hossain noted that negative developments can affect visa processes but emphasized that proper measures could mitigate these effects.

He stressed the importance of punitive action against those involved and efforts to prevent similar incidents in the future.