Malaysia dismantles ISIS network involving workers from Bangladesh
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Malaysia relies heavily on foreign labour to fill factory, plantation and construction jobs, with thousands of Bangladeshi nationals moving to the country for work each year.
PHOTO: AFP
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KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian authorities have dismantled a network that used social media to spread ideology and raise funds for the ISIS terror group among Bangladeshis working in the country, its top police official said on July 4.
Muslim-majority Malaysia has detained hundreds of people for suspected militant activities after a 2016 attack in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia relies heavily on foreign labour to fill factory, plantation and construction jobs, with thousands of Bangladeshis moving to the country for work each year.
In a televised press conference, Inspector-General of Police Mohd Khalid Ismail said the authorities have detained 36 Bangladeshis in several operations since April, all of whom came to Malaysia to work in factories or in sectors like construction and services.
The network recruited members by targeting other Bangladeshi workers, and used social media and online messaging platforms to spread radical and extremist ideologies, he said, citing police intelligence.
It also raised funds using international fund transfer services and e-wallets to send to the ISIS group in Syria and Bangladesh, he added, declining to provide further details on the amount raised.
Among those detained, five have been charged with being part of a terrorist organisation, while 15 will be deported.
Another 16 remain in police custody pending further investigation, with further arrests expected, Datuk Mohd Khalid said.
A total of between 100 and 150 people are suspected to be involved in the network, he said.
“We will deport those with minimal involvement back to their home country, while those with greater involvement will be charged under Malaysian laws,” he said. REUTERS
