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CNA
08-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
What could Malaysia's arrest of Islamic State-linked Bangladeshi workers mean for the region?
KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE: Malaysian authorities' probe into an Islamic State (IS)-linked terror network consisting of migrant Bangladeshi workers in the country is a 'significant cause for concern' for the wider Southeast Asian region, say experts. However, they warn that extra vigilance must not lead to the 'over-securitisation or blanket suspicions of migrant communities'. 'My view is that the arrests (in Malaysia) reflect broader regional terrorism landscape trends where militant networks are adapting to sustained counterterrorism pressure by establishing external operational bases rather than pursuing traditional territorial control,' said Munira Mustaffa of the Chasseur Group, a security-focused research and consulting firm based in Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi migrant community leaders and activists in Malaysia denounced those who were arrested, while stressing that a majority of their countrymen are only in Malaysia to eke out a living. Terror experts CNA spoke to added that the latest wave of arrests in Malaysia stems from internal vulnerabilities within the South Asian nation following a recent regime change there. This has had 'ripple effects' which they warn may extend to reach into overseas communities, including those in Southeast Asia. Malaysia Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail last month announced the arrests of 36 Bangladeshi nationals, who he said were found to be directly involved in a radical militant movement. Over the weekend, Bangladesh vowed full cooperation with Malaysian authorities and sought more information on the arrests. It also reiterated Dhaka's firm stance against all forms of terrorism, violent extremism and militancy. Last week, Malaysia's police chief Mohd Khalid Ismail said that the group – which is linked to the IS terror group – had used social media to recruit members from within the migrant community. They had sought to recruit members to fight in Syria or for IS, and had raised funds to be sent to the Middle Eastern country or to Bangladesh. Khalid added that a total of between 100 and 150 people are suspected to be part of the network. The arrests of the group in Malaysia – which comes just under a year since the ouster of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina – may also just be the tip of the iceberg, say experts. Iftekharul Bashar - a research fellow at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research at Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies - cautioned that the situation could lead to a wave of 'heightened alert in the region'. When contacted, Singapore's Internal Security Department (ISD) on Tuesday (Jul 8) said that there is 'presently no specific or imminent threat to Singapore related to the reported dismantling of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) network involving Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia'. 'However, the threat of terrorism to Singapore remains high, due to the volatile global landscape arising from developments such as the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, and the persistent threat posed by global terrorist groups like ISIS,' it added. ISD warned that ISIS, in particular, remains resilient and continues to retain its capacity to conduct and inspire terrorist attacks, both within and beyond conflict zones, further reiterating that Singaporeans and foreigners alike are faced with the risk of becoming radicalised due to the pervasiveness of such radical narratives on the internet and social media. 'The latest reported arrest by the Malaysian authorities is a timely reminder that the threat of terrorism is real,' said ISD. It added that 'anyone who knows or suspects that a person has been radicalised, or is engaging in extremist activities or propagating extremist teachings, should promptly contact the Internal Security Department (1800-2626-473).' 'ISD takes a serious view of any form of support for terrorism. Any person – foreigner or otherwise – who engages in any activity that threatens to harm Singapore's national security will be firmly dealt with under the law,' it said. WAKE-UP CALL Experts CNA spoke to said that Bangladesh's recent regime change creates 'particular vulnerabilities' and that the instability there has created opportunities that extremist groups can exploit. 'It's a common pattern we see after sudden political transitions,' said Munira. Agreeing, Iftekharul warned that the domestic situation in Bangladesh directly influences the vulnerability of its diaspora. The largest Bangladeshi diaspora population resides in Saudi Arabia, and there are significant numbers in countries like the United Arab Emirates and Oman. In Southeast Asia, Malaysia and Singapore host a sizeable Bangladeshi migrant population, many of whom work in the construction industry, among others. Iftekharul added that the weakened state control over extremist elements in Bangladesh can lead to a spillover effect that 'extends their reach into migrant communities in the region'. 'The methods of recruitment and financing also adapt, moving beyond traditional methods to leverage online platforms, making it a regional rather than just a national concern,' he said, adding that recruitment into the terror groups has evolved and no longer targets just blue-collar workers. 'Increasingly, white-collar professionals and students are being drawn into radical ideologies. This 'new generation' of ideologues is often urban, educated, and professionally accomplished, making detection through traditional profiling more challenging,' he said. Iftekharul added that the Israel-Gaza war, for example, is serving as a potential catalyst for radicalisation, 'as the perception of global Muslim victimisation' may ignite a sense of grievance that extremist groups can readily exploit through online propaganda. 'Social media and encrypted messaging apps also play a critical role in radicalisation, as evidenced by a Bangladeshi police survey finding that a high percentage of extremists were inspired by online propaganda and used encrypted communication,' he said, He added that the recent arrests were not isolated incidents but merely fit into a 'recurring pattern of radicalisation within the Bangladeshi diaspora as seen in previous cases in both Malaysia and Singapore'. In January 2016, Singapore announced the arrests of some 27 Bangladeshis over extremist plans after they were found to be contemplating armed jihad overseas and in their homeland. And in April that same year, Singapore detained eight other Bangladeshi nationals who were members of a group calling itself "Islamic State in Bangladesh" that had planned attacks back home to overthrow the government and establish an Islamic state aligned with IS' caliphate. 'Six of them were convicted of terrorism financing offences. All eight have since been repatriated to Bangladesh,' ISD told CNA on Tuesday. It added that members of the group disrupted in Singapore had been similarly radicalised with extremist material obtained from the internet, and had also raised funds from among its members to further terrorist activities. Separately, Malaysia arrested a Bangladeshi permanent resident and community leader Peyar Ahmed Akash in August 2016, who owned a restaurant in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Wanted by Interpol, it had been alleged that his restaurant became a gathering place for leaders and supporters of a terrorist group. He was deported that September. Meanwhile, Aizat Shamsuddin - the founder and director of the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence in Malaysia - said that in the case of the recent arrests in Malaysia, the terror group had used platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram in order to organise indoctrination sessions, religious study circles and covert meetings. He added that the authorities had highlighted that recruits who complete the baiah - a formal oath of allegiance often administered online - could be promoted to lead recruitment and outreach. 'This reflects a clear hierarchical structure from initial screening to elite unit formation; and they have operated for quite some time in this country,' said Aizat. Beyond that, Iftekharul warned that the use of international fund transfer services and e-wallets for fundraising for groups such as the IS in Syria and Bangladesh highlights a growing and harder-to-track trend in terrorist financing. In the case of the arrests in Malaysia, Aizat said that the group exploited financial capacity and required recruits to pay RM500 (US$118) in membership fees and raised additional funds through voluntary donations and digital platforms. 'These underscore both their transnational connections and operations, exploiting our digital financial system,' he said. EXPERTS: HOST COUNTRIES MUST ENGAGE DIASPORA COMMUNITIES Aizat, the terror expert, said that regardless of specific terrorist networks, the Malaysian government must remain vigilant in monitoring any links or activities within the country that support active groups seeking to exploit political instability in Bangladesh. This, he said, included the IS-linked Neo-Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), which was connected to the Dhaka cafe attack in July 2016 involving an individual who had previously studied at Monash University in Malaysia, and the al-Qaeda-affiliated Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B). In the cafe attack, 22 people - mostly foreigners - lost their lives. But this vigilance, Aizat said, must not result in the over-securitisation or blanket suspicion of migrant communities. He said that the authorities should focus on individuals and networks, not ethnic or national identities. 'Key safeguards include building trust with migrant communities, training officers to avoid profiling, ensuring oversight of enforcement actions, and working with civil society and employers to identify risks without stigmatising entire groups,' he said. He also said that a critical area that required investigation is the abuse of the hawala system, which is an informal method of transferring money that operates outside of traditional banking systems. Aizat said this allowed terrorist networks to move money internationally through brokers within family, friend, or business circles - without physically transferring funds across borders. This allowed the bypass of formal financial systems and avoided detection by law enforcement. 'To uncover these channels, authorities must gather intelligence from arrested suspects and, crucially … build trust with migrant communities and their leaders.' 'These relationships can help generate leads and identify individuals acting as eyewitnesses or intermediaries," he said, adding that cooperation with Bangladeshi law enforcement, Interpol, and international financial intelligence units was also essential to fully map the transnational scale of this terrorist network's operations. Aizat also hoped that the Malaysian government would invest in the social and economic integration of migrant communities to reduce marginalisation and limit the appeal of terrorist recruitment. Iftekharul of the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research said a proactive, comprehensive, transparent, and collaborative approach is essential to detect, prevent, and even eradicate the issue. 'The arrests in Malaysia could prompt other nations to reassess their counter-terrorism strategies and vigilance, especially regarding migrant populations,' he added. 'It highlights the need for a collaborative and regionally coordinated approach to counter-terrorism.' Iftekharul said that firstly, the Bangladeshi government must unequivocally acknowledge and address instances of diaspora radicalisation, as downplaying the problem was counterproductive. On that note, he added that Bangladeshi diplomatic missions abroad need to intensify community engagement efforts, serving as hubs for promoting social cohesion, interfaith dialogue, and cultural exchange. He also said that joint research initiatives between Bangladesh and host countries are crucial to understand specific drivers of radicalisation, and sharing information and intelligence is paramount for coordinated counter-terrorism efforts. Iftekharul said that mass Muslim organisations, both in Bangladesh and within diaspora communities, needed to play a more responsible role in countering extremist influence by developing strong narratives against radicalisation. 'Additionally, pre-departure training for those leaving Bangladesh can educate them on extremist influences and how to avoid them. Host countries like Malaysia and Singapore must effectively engage their large diaspora communities to prevent extremism and build social cohesion,' he said. BANGLADESHI COMMUNITY LEADERS TAKEN ABACK For the Bangladeshi community in Malaysia, the news came as a shock and a concern, and fuelled a strong desire to protect their community's reputation especially as many of them are overseas for a better future. Community leader Jalil Ahmed, who works in construction, said that most Bangladeshi workers are in Malaysia "only to earn a living", and that many workers were angry their names were being sullied by those who joined these groups. 'It is hard for any worker to part with even RM50, so what more RM500? 'There are about one million Bangladeshis in Malaysia and most are here to earn a living for a better future for their families back home,' he told CNA. As of last year, there were 898,970 Bangladeshi foreign workers in Malaysia, according to official figures. This figure makes them the biggest portion of the total foreign worker population, followed by Indonesians and Nepalis. However, many believe the number of Bangladeshi workers is much higher than that, taking into account those who are undocumented. Documented migrant workers make up about 15 per cent of Malaysia's workforce and many work in so-called 3D – dirty, dangerous and demeaning – jobs that are usually shunned by locals. Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia are primarily employed in five key sectors: manufacturing, construction, plantation, agriculture, and services. In the services sector, they carry out duties such as cleaning, petrol pump attendance, and supermarket work. Another activist, Mohammad Sami, said that many Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia were angry and disappointed with the news that had dominated the topic of conversations – both in Malaysia and back home - for many days. 'If they are really guilty of such stupid things, they must be punished,' he told CNA. Sami, however, suggested a possibility of deception, asking whether those found to be involved had knowingly donated money to the groups. "Could they have been cheated and told that this money was for the poor back home, for example? I am worried that those caught might have been those who are uneducated, " he said. He is also worried that there will be repercussions for the entry of Bangladeshi workers into the country in the future. Saifuddin - Malaysia's Home Minister - had said in May that Bangladeshi workers barred from entering Malaysia for employment before a deadline on May 31 last year kicked in will soon be able to do so, reaffirming Putrajaya's commitment to protect them from 'exploitation and employment fraud'. 'The whole community is going to suffer because of this. I am worried that people would be scared to rent out their homes to Bangladeshi migrants because of this,' said Sami, adding that the Malaysian and Bangladeshi governments had to work closely on the issue.
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman's expat workforce rises slightly to 1.81 million in May
MUSCAT - The number of expatriate workers in Oman edged up to 1,810,354 in May 2025, compared with 1,808,940 in April, according to the latest figures released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The data shows a monthly increase of 1,414 workers, reflecting steady labour demand in key sectors despite broader efforts to boost national employment under Oman Vision 2040. The construction sector remained the largest employer of foreign labour, with 436,301 workers, followed by wholesale and retail trade with 272,774, and manufacturing with 179,418. By nationality, Bangladeshi workers topped the list at 623,186, followed by Indians at 507,695, and Pakistanis at 318,208. Most expatriates worked in the private sector (1.41 million), while others were employed in the family and communal sectors. In terms of occupation, engineering and technical jobs made up the largest share, followed by service-related roles, sales, and agriculture. Oman continues to monitor foreign labour trends as it seeks to balance economic growth with national workforce development goals.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Mould manufacturer sets up task force to resolve worker grievances
Mediceram Sdn Bhd said both the company and its workers have committed to moving forward constructively together in the best interests of their stakeholders and wellbeing of their business. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Glove mould manufacturer Mediceram Sdn Bhd has agreed to set up an internal task force linked to a committee comprising employees to resolve future grievances. The move follows weeks of tension with its Bangladeshi workforce allegedly over working conditions and the recruitment fees the workers had paid in Bangladesh before coming to Malaysia, said Arumugam Suppiah, the company's chairman. Arumugam also said the company and its Bangladeshi workers reached an amicable resolution to issues related to a recent dispute today. 'Both parties have now committed to moving forward constructively together in the best interests of all stakeholders and to ensure the profitability and economic wellbeing of our business,' he said in a statement. He said both sides agreed that any future complaints from workers concerning their working and living conditions would be addressed through the in-house task force, instead of raising them on social media or the press, 'to ensure constructive dialogue and timely resolution'. Arumugam said the workers had been demanding refunds for recruitment fees they paid to Bangladeshi agents before their arrival in Malaysia. Although Mediceram initially agreed to reimburse them, its proposal to stagger the payments over a 12-month period led to renewed protests. About 180 Bangladeshi workers staged two rounds of strikes, on March 6 and 18, in protest against contributions paid to agents in Bangladesh and unresolved passport and visa issues. Arumugam said the company has since agreed to pay each of the workers RM22,500, over an eight-month period, although it is not obligatory under Malaysian laws. He also thanked migrant rights activist Andy Hall for facilitating the dialogue between the company and its Bangladeshi workers under challenging circumstances, and for Hall's commitment to finding a fair and mutually acceptable resolution to the problem. 'While some harsh statements were indeed exchanged in the past week, and the company observed what we believe were inappropriate actions by certain individuals throughout this dispute, we humbly accept our own shortcomings in managing this situation effectively at the outset with our own workers,' he said. Arumugam, however, disputed earlier reports by FMT that the strike by the foreign labourers was linked to unpaid wages. 'It was due to the fees paid to recruitment agents in Bangladesh,' he said.
CNA
16-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Malaysia to resume recruitment of stranded Bangladeshi workers, vows to protect them from abuse, fraud
PETALING JAYA, Selangor: Bangladeshi workers barred from entering Malaysia for employment before a deadline kicked in almost a year ago will soon be able to do so, according to its Home Affairs Minister. On Thursday (May 15), Saifuddin Nasution Ismail also reaffirmed Putrajaya's commitment to protect them from 'exploitation and employment fraud'. Malaysia had barred the entry of Bangladeshi workers since May 31 last year after tens of thousands of them reportedly became victims of an extensive labour scam in the country that saw them paying up to US$5,000 upfront for jobs that did not exist, forcing them to work illegally to pay debts. The latest developments were announced following meetings on Thursday (May 15) between Adviser to Bangladesh's Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Asif Nazrul and Saifuddin as well as Human Resources Minister Steven Sim in Kuala Lumpur. 'This meeting provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions on issues concerning the management of foreign workers from Bangladesh, which involve several policy and operational matters, including the government's key commitment to reduce migration cost,' Saifuddin wrote on Facebook on Thursday. Following the meetings, the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur confirmed that Malaysia has agreed to recruit 7,964 workers from among more than 17,000 who were stranded after failing to enter the country before the May 31 deadline last year, 'despite fulfilling all conditions and paying (the) full migration cost'. The commission said in a Facebook post on Thursday that these workers would be 'in the first batch as proposed by Bangladesh and the recruitment process of those workers will be handled by (the) Bangladesh Overseas Employment Services Limited'. Some of these workers reportedly with approved work visas were unable to get on flights before the deadline last year and the Bangladeshi government has urged the Malaysian government to allow them to enter the country since last year. A meeting was previously held between the Bangladesh High Commission to Malaysia and Saifuddin in Kuala Lumpur on Dec 5 last year to address the prolonged delay in the migration process of the workers, local media reported. A joint technical group, comprising representatives from the Malaysian Immigration Department and the commission, was subsequently established and held two meetings, on Dec 31 last year and Jan 14 this year. During the joint technical group meetings, the list of over 17,000 workers was thoroughly reviewed and verified with Malaysian stakeholders, resulting in the selection of the 7,964 workers for immediate entry in the first phase, Mohammad Rafiqul Alam - a spokesperson from the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs - told Malay Mail earlier in January. While these workers have been deemed eligible for immediate travel to Malaysia, it is unclear when they will officially start working. During the meeting on Thursday between Sim, the Human Resources Minister and Asif, both nations also agreed to strengthen their coordination through the joint working group which will reconvene in Dhaka next week from May 21 to address technical matters related to labour management, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported. 'This visit (on Thursday) signals a shared resolve by Malaysia and Bangladesh to build a cross-border labour system grounded in integrity, human rights and fairness,' the human resources ministry said on Thursday, as quoted by FMT. The Bangladeshi delegation had also requested multiple-entry visas for their workers. 'The Malaysian government informed (us) that they are currently working on a proposal to revisit the provision of single-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers. Hopefully, very soon the Bangladeshi workers will be granted multiple entry visas,' the Bangladesh High Commission wrote on Thursday. At Thursday's meeting, Saifuddin also conveyed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's appreciation to the Bangladeshi government for its continued support in efforts to streamline the management of foreign workers in Malaysia. Malaysia is host to more than 400,000 documented Bangladesh workers and several thousands more who enter the country illegally, and they make up one of the largest country proportions of foreign workers in the world, which collectively account for roughly 30 per cent of the national workforce that is estimated at 17 million people. 'UNSUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS' OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, MONEY LAUNDERING Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi government has also confirmed that Malaysia was not involved in any misconduct concerning the recruitment or treatment of its workers, following reports that Putrajaya had asked Bangladesh to review and withdraw 'unsubstantiated allegations' of wrongdoing in labour migration between the two countries. Bloomberg reported on Thursday that the move was meant to improve Malaysia's rating in the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report by the United States State Department. 'Allegations of human trafficking and money laundering - largely unsubstantiated - have impacted Malaysia's reputation,' the secretary-general of the human resources ministry, Azman Yusof, wrote in a letter dated Apr 23, which was reviewed by Bloomberg. In its statement on Thursday, the Human Resources Ministry thanked Bangladesh for recognising Malaysia's efforts to reform the foreign worker recruitment system and crack down on abuse, following the courtesy call by Asif, the Bangladeshi official who was also accompanied by the special envoy for international affairs Lutfey Siddiqi. 'The Bangladeshi side confirmed that Malaysia was not involved in any of the previously raised allegations and voiced its support for our principled and firm stance against human trafficking,' the statement wrote, as quoted by FMT. During the meeting between Sim and the Bangladeshi delegation, Sim also stressed that foreign worker recruitment should be driven by genuine industry needs and not for profit. FMT reported that for more than a decade, the US has said that Malaysia does not meet standards under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, adding that Putrajaya is not making significant and sufficient efforts to rectify the issue. A low TIP ranking would mean that a country can be restricted from accessing foreign assistance funding from the US or possibly face resistance by US representatives at the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral institutions for access to loans. In October last year, Bangladeshi authorities had asked the Malaysian government to arrest and extradite two businessmen as part of a probe into alleged money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers.
Free Malaysia Today
13-05-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia-Bangladesh labour talks must address cartel issues, says ex-MP
Top officials from Bangladesh are set to hold talks with human resources minister Steven Sim and senior ministry officials in Kuala Lumpur to discuss reopening the labour market to Bangladeshi workers. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Malaysia and Bangladesh must discuss putting an end to cartels in the labour recruitment market when officials from the two countries hold a special three-day meeting in Kuala Lumpur beginning tomorrow, a former MP said. Charles Santiago, the former MP for Klang, said the current system and processes must be reformed, especially the way recruitment agents allegedly linked to cartels operate, by charging fees as high as RM20,000 for Bangladeshi workers to work in Malaysia. Charles Santiago. 'Let's not rush into reopening a broken door. Fix the house first. I caution against reopening the Malaysia-Bangladesh labour market without real reforms. 'The current system breeds corruption, exploitation and debt bondage. We must not go back to business as usual,' he told FMT. According to Bangladeshi daily The Daily Observer, the country's expatriates' welfare adviser Asif Nazrul and senior secretary Neamat Ullah Bhuiyan will represent the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in the talks. They are scheduled to meet human resources minister Steven Sim and senior officials from the ministry tomorrow to discuss reopening the Malaysian labour market for Bangladeshi workers. Santiago said the negotiations must address the dismantling of the syndicate model that had been charging excessive recruitment fees, resulting in debt bondage and labour trafficking. 'Both governments should commit to an alternative mechanism that tracks each Bangladeshi worker from the moment the Bangladeshi government approves their job offer right up to their exit interview and flight back home,' he said. Santiago added that the increasing focus of importing countries on social audits – especially those concerning forced labour, recruitment fees and unscrupulous labour brokers – must guide the discussions. However, he warned that if the recruitment channel was to be reopened, it must come with new safeguards. 'It must have a legally binding agreement framework between both countries, rooted in transparency and accountability at every stage. 'Forget the MoUs, which do not seem to be taken seriously by both sending and receiving countries,' Santiago said. Employer-pay principle Another key reform, Santiago said, was the enforcement of the universally accepted employer-pay principle, which, despite being legally required, was often ignored by authorities. 'Workers should not be paying any money. Employers pay for everything. When a worker has to borrow or mortgage their property to come here, they end up with debt bondage and close to being in a slavery environment,' he said. Santiago also pointed to a report by the Public Accounts Committee two years ago that criticised the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) as a flawed process. Despite the findings, the system continues to be in use. 'I hope the negotiators will pay attention to the FWCMS in their discussion, as otherwise, we will go back to where we came from,' he said.
