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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.
Free Malaysia Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Neutrality difficult in unstable world, says Ukraine's acting ambassador
Denys Mykhailiuk, Ukraine's acting ambassador to Malaysia, says 'neutrality' requires nations to take balanced, visible and consistent actions, including through condemnation when norms are violated. PETALING JAYA : In today's fractured geopolitical landscape, the idea of neutrality is facing unprecedented challenges. As the war in Ukraine drags on and tensions escalate in Asia, many smaller or non-aligned countries, including Malaysia, are left to confront an uncomfortable truth: neutrality may no longer be enough. 'To be really neutral is very difficult in the world, which is not stable,' says Denys Mykhailiuk, Ukraine's acting ambassador to Malaysia. 'Strategic neutrality is typically reserved for strong states that can defend their sovereignty. For many in the Global South, what is described as neutrality is more accurately a form of non-alignment,' he said. Malaysia, traditionally proud of its non-aligned foreign policy, continues to engage with all parties. Yet experts suggest this approach demands closer scrutiny in an era where global powers are increasingly acting outside international norms. Munira Mustaffa. 'Neutrality represents a deliberate political stance of impartiality,' says Munira Mustaffa, executive director of Chasseur Group. 'Silence, conversely, often reflects passive non-engagement.' ISIS foreign policy head Thomas Daniel echoed this sentiment, saying that 'many countries use 'neutrality' or 'non-alignment' to avoid taking positions on issues they perceive as harming their national interests.' Thomas Daniel. Malaysia has the right to stay neutral—but should it? According to Mykhailiuk, neutrality is not simply about not taking sides. It requires balance, visibility and consistent actions, including condemnation when norms are violated. Without this, what is referred to as 'neutrality' risks becoming 'complicity'. Mykhailiuk warns that failure to respond to Russia's war will send a global signal. 'If the aggressor comes out unpunished or rewarded by the new territorial requirements, it will definitely (provoke a) superpower to act on its own discretion, using the threat of force or force itself in relations with the smaller states,' he said. 'Imperial thinking' in the 21st century This concern is especially relevant in an age of rising imperial ambitions. While Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's assertive stance in the South China Sea differ in method, both reflect a common mindset: historical entitlement as justification for modern-day dominance. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China had no legal basis to claim historic rights within the so-called Nine-Dash Line. The ruling was labelled 'ill-founded' by China, and ignored. 'My perception is that China's actions involve sustained coercion and grey-zone tactics, while Russia's strategy is outright aggression,' says Munira. 'But for smaller post-colonial states like Malaysia or Ukraine, both present serious sovereignty challenges: they must navigate between protecting sovereignty and avoiding confrontation with powers that view international law as secondary to their historical claims.' Malaysia is no stranger to the consequences of great power impunity. The 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Ukraine, which killed 298 people including 43 Malaysians, remains a wound in the national memory. Russia's 2015 veto at the UN Security Council blocked efforts to establish an international tribunal. 'Deepening ties with Russia without addressing this tragedy sends a troubling signal,' says Munira. 'It suggests that such actions can be overlooked. Any perception that MH17 is being sidelined would undermine confidence in international accountability mechanisms.' This issue cuts deeper when viewed alongside Malaysia's expanding diplomatic and trade ties with Russia, including support for BRICS membership and a recent increase in direct cooperation. 'The balance becomes increasingly complex,' said Munira, pointing to contradictions between Malaysia's humanitarian support for Ukraine and its diplomatic silence on Russian aggression. This imperial logic, where great powers act as though smaller nations exist for absorption or domination, can be useful for some countries, and it is increasingly visible. Beyond Russia and China, other global powers are also demonstrating imperial tendencies. 'The risk of 'imperial thinking' is reinforced by the recent behaviour of—not just Russia—but also China, the United States and Israel,' says Daniel. These trends are particularly worrying for smaller nations that rely on international law as their first line of defence. Asean's role This makes not only the Malaysian position vital, but Asean's as well, being an organisation of countries that want to be important players in the region. The Asean Charter is clear about provisions like the peaceful settlements of disputes through dialogue and consultation, the renunciation of aggression, and upholding international law. However, as Munira explains, Asean's recent diplomatic record has been mixed. Only four of ten Asean members attended the 2024 Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland; with only two signing the communiqué. 'This reflects Asean's broader concern that peace efforts must consider multiple perspectives,' she says. Nevertheless, there is space for leadership. 'With over 600 million people and growing markets, Asean can become an important trade and investment partner for Ukraine,' says Mykhailiuk. Not all support has to come with weapons. Malaysia has provided humanitarian support to Ukraine, including medical supplies and essential equipment. In his recent interview with Bernama TV, Mykhailiuk called for more assistance, particularly for post-conflict demining, rescue operations, and energy infrastructure. For Malaysia and other middle powers, the war in Ukraine is not someone else's problem. It is a test of whether the rules that protect the weak from the strong still apply—and whether countries like Malaysia will help uphold them. 'Weakness is temptation,' Mykhailiuk warns. 'So be strong.' Anastasiya Yushchenko is an undergraduate at the City St George's, University of London, and an intern at FMT.
New Straits Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Bangladeshi militant group: Malaysia shows effective counterterrorism capabilities, says analyst
KUALA LUMPUR: The recent discovery and crippling of a Bangladeshi-based Islamic State (IS) cell operating in Malaysia has reinforced the nation's strategic position in regional migration networks and the effectiveness of its counterterrorism efforts, a security analyst said. Chasseur Group security analyst Munira Mustaffa believes the detection demonstrates Malaysia's continued appeal as an operational environment for foreign extremist networks, but this reflects strategic calculations by threat-actors rather than unique Malaysian vulnerabilities. "The case reinforces Malaysia's position as a country where legitimate migration channels intersect with security challenges. "However, the successful disruption by Malaysian authorities also demonstrates robust counterterrorism capabilities," she told the New Straits Times. Chasseur Group is a specialised research and analytical consulting firm based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, focused on complex security challenges. "All countries face terrorism risks, but Bangladesh's recent regime change creates particular vulnerabilities. "Post-revolution periods typically involve internal power struggles, disagreements over governance direction, and social fractures," she said adding that these instabilities create opportunities that extremist groups can exploit. Munira said it is a common pattern seen after sudden political transitions. She said the regional implications are limited, as this appears to be a homeland-focused network rather than one seeking regional expansion or local recruitment. "While public concern is understandable, the successful identification and disruption of this network actually demonstrates effective counterterrorism capabilities rather than enforcement failures. "Malaysia faces similar challenges to other countries with significant migrant populations and established diaspora communities. "The network's exclusive focus on Bangladeshi nationals and homeland objectives suggests selective targeting rather than broad-based local recruitment," she said adding that modern counterterrorism operates on intelligence-led approaches focusing on tangible threats rather than abstract possibilities, which appears to be functioning effectively in this case. Munira believes that sustained intelligence-led operations remain the most effective approach, as evidenced by this successful disruption. "Key priorities include maintaining robust intelligence-sharing mechanisms with international partners, particularly given the transnational nature of these networks. "Enhanced community engagement within diaspora communities can provide early warning indicators whilst avoiding broad-based surveillance approaches," she said adding that the focus should remain on understanding threat-actor operational requirements rather than implementing blanket restrictions that may prove counterproductive. She said Malaysia's existing legal framework, including the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act, appears adequate for addressing these threats, as demonstrated by the varied legal dispositions in this case. "Further legislative restrictions risk creating authoritarian overreach whilst potentially alienating communities whose cooperation is essential for effective counterterrorism. "The emphasis should be on improving implementation and community-based prevention approaches rather than expanding legal powers," she said adding that evidence-based community engagement programmes may prove more effective than additional legislative measures. Munira said Malaysia could benefit from adopting more systematic approaches to threat assessment and community engagement programmes developed in other democracies. "This includes enhanced analytical frameworks for understanding threat-actor operational requirements, improved inter-agency coordination mechanisms, and evidence-based community resilience programmes. "However, any adaptations must account for Malaysia's specific demographic, political, and constitutional context rather than wholesale adoption of foreign models. The priority should be strengthening analytical capabilities and community partnerships rather than expanding enforcement powers," he said.
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
RMAF must go high-tech to meet evolving threats, say experts
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) must prioritise technological capabilities, cyber integration and layered air defence to adapt to evolving global conflicts, say defence experts. Chasseur Group security and defence analyst Munira Mustaffa said Malaysia could draw important lessons from conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, where a smaller force has managed to deny air superiority to a more powerful adversary. "Air superiority is no longer about numbers. Ukraine has shown that effective, mobile ground-based air defence systems and strong electronic warfare (EW) capabilities can deny access to contested airspace," she said. Munira was commenting on a statement by new RMAF chief Lieutenant-General Datuk Seri Muhamad Norazlan Aris on Thursday that the air force would adapt its long-term posture based on conflicts involving Russia, Ukraine, India, Pakistan, Iran and Israel. Under the Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55), the RMAF aims to enhance relevance by shaping its war-fighting capability to ensure threats are deterred and contained. CAP55, among others, calls for the procurement of unmanned aerial systems, airborne early warning platforms, long-range ground-based air defence radars as well as a ground-based air defence system. Munira said the RMAF should focus on several key areas, including investing in mobile and dispersed air defence systems, enhancing joint air-ground integration, expanding offensive and defensive electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and building low-cost counter-drone systems using small, attritable platforms. "These drones have proven to be highly effective at a fraction of the cost of conventional platforms. For a country like Malay-sia, they offer lethality at range, economy of effort, and are well suited to our defensive doctrine. "Malaysia's current defence budget of US$4.8 billion, of which US$1.3 billion is allocated for maintenance and new procurement, means the RMAF will have to compete for limited resources across the armed services," she said. Munira also said the RMAF must adopt a phased and cost-efficient strategy that leverages existing assets while introducing new capabilities. "Rather than chasing expensive single-solution platforms, the RMAF should look at layered, interoperable systems. "Upgrading current assets, tapping into dual-use technologies with the Home Ministry, and seeking regional training and procurement partnerships are all viable options," she added. Cyber defence should be treated as the foundational priority, given the increasing dependence on autonomous and software-driven systems. "A cyberattack could compromise multiple systems, undermining both EW and drone capabilities," she said. She added that electronic warfare should come next, as it accounts for the majority of counter-drone operations and plays a crucial role in neutralising near-term threats. While she acknowledged the importance of conventional air power, Munira said the RMAF's future edge lied in integrating new and traditional capabilities. "The objective is to integrate cyber, EW and drone systems into a cohesive, layered defence structure." Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia defence expert Associate Professor Dr Mohamed Faisol Keling said the RMAF must consider the technological aspects of the current geopolitical conflicts, the influence of major powers and the role of international bodies in conflict resolution. "With a limited budget, focus should be given to more critical sectors rather than areas that can be modified, such as management or lower-cost contracts. "The RMAF should work with various universities and industry players to develop high-technology equipment using local expertise," he said. "Many universities can be brought in to collaborate on developing defence assets that align with our national capabilities. "We can look at how Indonesia is now producing its own defence products through local talent."
