Bangladesh vows full cooperation with Malaysia over arrest, deportation of suspected extremists
'The Bangladesh government is closely monitoring the developments, and the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is in close communication with the relevant Malaysian authorities, and will extend necessary support to the expatriate Bangladeshis wherever needed,' it said in a statement issued on Saturday (Jul 5), quoted by local media.
The ministry also reiterated Dhaka's firm stance against all forms of terrorism, violent extremism and militancy, and said it remains ready to cooperate fully with Malaysian authorities in the matter.
Malaysia's Inspector General of Police Mohd Khalid Ismail had earlier said that the group of Bangladeshis arrested in Malaysia was suspected of sending funds to Islamic State (IS) cells in Syria and Bangladesh, according to local news platform bdnews24.
At a press conference on Friday, Ismail said the 36 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in a series of operations conducted since April. Most of them were employed in factories, construction sites, or the service sector.
Of those, five have been formally charged, while investigations are ongoing against several others. The rest were in the process of being deported, according to Bangladesh anti-terrorism chief Akkas Uddin Bhuiyan, as quoted in bdnews24.
Later that day, three Bangladeshi nationals, deported from Malaysia on suspicion of involvement in militant activities, were arrested and detained after they arrived home.
The three men now in Bangladeshi custody were among those who were sent back.
They were arrested under Section 54 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and produced before the court on the same day. The court subsequently ordered their detention in jail, according to Akkas, as reported by bdnews24.
Bangladesh's Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury reportedly dismissed claims that the recent deportation of suspected extremists from Malaysia indicated the presence of terrorist activity in the country, claiming visa overstays instead for the three citizens deported.
'There is no militant activity in Bangladesh. With your cooperation, we've rooted out militancy,' he was quoted saying by Dhaka-based broadsheet The Daily Star.
He added that any such allegations could be used to apply external pressure or stigmatise the country.
Chowdhury said Malaysia's claim of a radical militant movement was still being verified, and that no official communication had confirmed the individuals were involved in militancy.
'Our foreign ministry has already issued a press release clarifying the situation. As far as we know, three individuals were deported due to overstaying their visas," he reportedly said.
News of the arrests first emerged on Jun 27, when Malaysia's Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that 36 Bangladeshi nationals had been detained on suspicion of extremism.
Mohd Khalid said the police's special branch first detected the group through a number of Facebook accounts actively sharing IS-related content, all traced back to internet protocol (IP) addresses originating in Malaysia.
Khalid said members paid RM500 annually to the Bangladesh 'radical militant movement' in membership fees.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
3 hours ago
- CNA
Tariffs, regional turmoils among focus at upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting
KUALA LUMPUR / SINGAPORE: This week, foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to meet for talks and hold discussions with the regional grouping's key dialogue partners. The bloc's 58th Foreign Ministers' Meeting comes at a time of growing pressure to prove its relevance amid global uncertainty and a range of regional challenges. The domestic political situation in Thailand – one of the founding members of the bloc – remains fluid, after a caretaker prime minister was appointed last week alongside a reshuffled cabinet. This followed the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty amid a territorial dispute with fellow ASEAN member Cambodia. Myanmar's long-drawn crisis continues to be a key issue, despite some progress made at the ASEAN Summit in May. 'We are definitely moving the needle forward towards some form of resolution (on Myanmar),' said Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia. 'That said, (ASEAN members) have … to square out (other) outstanding issues pertaining to so-called hot button cases, like the South China Sea code of conduct and matters that impact the geopolitical configuration.' BOLDER REFORMS On Saturday (Jul 5), Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called for bolder reforms within ASEAN to reduce trade and investment barriers and link up physical infrastructure. Mr Wong said Singapore fully supports ASEAN chair Malaysia's efforts to push for these reforms. He added the momentum will continue when the Philippines takes over the rotating chairmanship next year, and Singapore the year after. He added that Singapore will work closely with regional and global partners to keep the bloc strong, effective and relevant. Mr Wong reflected on the founding of ASEAN in 1967 – a period also marked by the global turmoil of the Cold War. He said the unity of the founding leaders laid the foundations for stability in the region. "ASEAN has seen conflict before. We were once an arena for proxy wars by the major powers. We do not want that to happen again. Neither can we afford to have disputes divide us,' he added. 'Instead, we must work together to preserve peace and stability; and to keep ASEAN open and inclusive – a region that is not dominated by any single power, but where all the major powers are engaged and invested.' With a population of 700 million people, and as the fifth largest economy in the world, Mr Wong said there is more that ASEAN can do to unlock its full potential, and highlighted the need for closer integration. "Today, ASEAN supply chains already span multiple countries, leveraging our complementary strengths,' he said. 'We must make ASEAN a more seamless and competitive single market – one that attracts businesses and investments looking for alternatives in a more fragmented global economy.' ASEAN & US TARIFFS Such reforms are growing more urgent with United States President Donald Trump's looming tariff deadline on Wednesday, said observers. Mr Trump's second presidential term has reintroduced uncertainty into global trade and raised the stakes for export-reliant economies in the region. 'One of the biggest concerns is that ASEAN's foreign policy should not be allowed to be continually guided and influenced by the … tectonic movements of Trump's outpourings,' said Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia's Dr Faiz. 'So, the first thing that has to be done (when) ASEAN foreign ministers get together (should be to) take a common position, for example, in relation to tariffs.' This week's agenda also includes a ministerial meeting of the Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD). The conference is led by Malaysia and Japan to accelerate efforts for the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza. Additionally, there is the ASEAN Regional Forum, one of Asia's largest multilateral political and security platforms, which will feature 27 participants, including the 10 ASEAN members and key global partners such as the US, Russia and China. Observers said the forum will likely feature strong rhetoric and calls for regional solidarity even as underlying divisions remain. "They may express their solidarity, and they may use aspirational language that Asia should unite, the intra-regional trade in ASEAN should be further enhanced to insulate ourselves from the turbulence of whatever Washington DC is doing right now,' said Professor Phar Kim Beng, who specialises in ASEAN studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia. The bloc's foreign ministers are also expected to hold separate sessions with ASEAN's key dialogue partners. The meetings will take place in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur from Jul 8 to 11, under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.
CNA
4 hours ago
- CNA
MPs from Anwar's party call for royal inquiry into top judges' vacancies, explanation from PM
Anwar, who is currently in Brazil for the 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit, said last week he has never interfered in judicial matters including the appointment of judges, and agreed such appointments should not be politicised. Rafizi said on Monday the issue goes beyond party lines and partisan politics, adding that he hopes parties on both sides of the aisle lift their whips to allow members to speak freely on the matter. 'It's very important to get everyone on board, partisan view aside,' he said, inviting MPs from parties in the opposition and Borneo-based coalitions to support the nine PKR MPs' stand. In their statement, the MPs said they will launch a campaign among fellow lawmakers to get broad support for an investigation by both parliament and the RCI. They will also start an online petition and a series of 'public forums' nationwide to rally the public on the matter, starting with one in Kuala Lumpur/Selangor on Jul 13 at 8.30pm before moving to other major cities. 'We call on all Malaysians to take note of this issue that will have great consequences on the country's people and future, even though it could be seen as minor alongside other issues,' they added. 'SLAP IN THE FACE' FOR ANWAR? The move by the nine MPs is not the norm and will have implications on their role in their party, analysts said. It is 'highly unusual' for members of the ruling party to express such dissent openly, despite believing they are acting in line with the party's core principles, said Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, a partner at strategic advisory firm ADA Southeast Asia. 'This can easily be perceived as a direct affront to Anwar and an open challenge to his leadership. In other words, the PKR Nine's actions can be seen as a slap in the face of the prime minister,' he told CNA. The 'insinuation' is that Anwar is withholding the JAC's recommendations from Malaysia's king and the Conference of Rulers, said analyst Azmi Hassan from the Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research. 'I think that's unbecoming of Rafizi and his group, to insinuate that (Anwar is withholding the appointments). The negative perception will be worse on the part of Datuk Seri Anwar,' he said. Rafizi, being part of PKR and a former minister, should understand the process of filling critical roles in the judiciary, Azmi added. The final decision on judicial appointments rests with the king and Conference of Rulers, he said. 'So when Rafizi says there is some negative perception regarding this particular issue, you cannot blame the prime minister.' Meanwhile, it is 'understandable' that Anwar has chosen to remain relatively silent as the decision was not his to make, Azmi said. While the nine MPs' statement will put the Anwar administration under greater scrutiny, the group is unlikely to vote against the prime minister on key legislation, Asrul Hadi said. 'However, a more significant implication could arise when an election is called, and Anwar will face pressure to drop these nine lawmakers as candidates, risking party divisions and potentially strengthening the opposition,' he said.
CNA
6 hours ago
- CNA
Man sent to conduct surveillance on S$6 million vape stash gets caught red-handed by HSA
SINGAPORE: A man was enlisted by an importer of illegal electronic vaporisers to conduct surveillance on a stash worth more than S$6 million (US$4.7 million) that had been seized by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). However, the Malaysian was spotted by HSA officers who asked him why he was there. The officers later found drugs in his vehicle. The failed scout then contacted his hirer when he was released on bail and hid in a lorry back to Malaysia, but he was later nabbed and sent back to Singapore for the charges against him. Chee Wai Yuen, 36, was sentenced on Monday (Jul 7) to jail for one year, one month and six weeks. He pleaded guilty to five charges including drug charges, obstructing justice by conducting surveillance and an immigration offence for leaving Singapore without presenting his passport. Another four charges were taken into consideration. The court heard that Chee was enlisted by Chua Wee Ming around Mar 20 last year to conduct surveillance. Chua, who is also Malaysian, had allegedly imported e-vaporisers and components into Singapore for the purpose of sale. The goods had been seized by HSA and were held in custody by the agency at a warehouse, whose location was protected by a gag order imposed by the court. At least 189,010 vapes and 351,223 components were held in custody at the warehouse, with a total street value of about S$6.5 million. The goods were meant to be evidence for future prosecution of offences by HSA. Chua asked Chee to surveil the warehouse to see if any HSA personnel were guarding a certain unit, so that Chee or other people could go in to steal the products. Chee agreed and drove to the warehouse sometime after 10pm on Mar 23 last year. He parked his car at the warehouse car park before going to the 10th floor. He then climbed up the stairs to the target floor and went to the unit to conduct surveillance. STOPPED AND ARRESTED However, he was approached by three HSA officers at the unit, who asked him why he was there. Chee lied that he had gone to the wrong location and tried to leave. He entered a lift and went to the car park, before driving out at about 12.40am. As he drove, he was stopped by HSA officers. They searched his vehicle for about 40 minutes and found drug-related items including ketamine. Chee was arrested and taken to the Central Narcotics Bureau, where his urine samples were found to contain methamphetamine and norketamine. Chee admitted to taking meth, and said the utensils found in his car were meant for consuming it. He was charged in court on Mar 28 last year and released on court bail, with his passport impounded as part of bail conditions. Chee then contacted Chua, as the latter had previously assured that he would arrange for someone to smuggle Chee out of Singapore if he got arrested. Chua told him to wait to be contacted, and Chee was instructed by an unidentified person via WhatsApp on Apr 4, 2024 to go to a location in Tuas the next morning. Chee went and looked for a yellow lorry as instructed. It was driven by co-accused Thanesh Murugan, who has been charged for his alleged involvement. Thanesh drove the lorry to Malaysia via Tuas Checkpoint with Chee hiding behind the driver's seat. After Chee failed to turn up for a court hearing in April 2024, a warrant of arrest was issued against him. He was on the run until he was arrested in October last year in Malaysia and extradited to Singapore, remaining in remand since. The prosecution sought one year, one month and eight weeks' jail to one year, two months and eight weeks' jail for Chee. He noted that the high number of vapes and components involved made this a serious case relative to other such cases. However, he said there was a "low degree of premeditation and sophistication given that the accused did not use or prepare any equipment to use in his surveillance". There was also "minimal effect on the course of justice" as Chee was arrested and the theft his surveillance was meant to serve ultimately did not occur.
