Rising foreign extremist involvement amplifies militant threat in Malaysia
MALAYSIAN police arrested 36 Bangladeshi nationals suspected of involvement in a radical militant group espousing Islamic State ideology.
The group allegedly established recruitment cells to fund terrorism, indoctrinate members, and conduct subversive activities.
Five of the arrested face charges under Malaysia's Penal Code for terrorism-related offences, following intelligence-led operations by the Special Branch, as announced by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail on Friday (June 27).
These arrests portrays how the militant threat in Malaysia has evolved, with a significant rise in foreign involvement in extremist movements driven by radical ideologies and violence.
From 2022 to 2025, arrests related to militancy have increased, particularly involving individuals from Indonesia and the Philippines, alongside growing extremist ideologies among Myanmar, Rohingya, and Bangladeshi communities.
These foreign elements, originating from various conflict zones, are spreading radical ideologies within Malaysia, shifting the threat from local to external sources. While specific data on extremist group numbers is lacking, individuals from countries like Uyghur regions, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Tunisia, Sudan, and Yemen have been apprehended.
Most are deported to face trial in their home countries, though some are prosecuted in Malaysia to avoid life-threatening risks if returned. — June 28, 2025
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