Overview

• A three-phase counter-terror operation from April 24 to June across Selangor and Johor led to the detention of 36 Bangladeshi migrants accused of extremist recruitment.
• Five individuals have been charged under Chapter VIA of the Penal Code, 15 have received deportation orders and 16 remain under continued investigation.
• Authorities say the network set up cells within Malaysia’s Bangladeshi worker community to spread ISIL ideology, raise funds and plan operations against Bangladesh.
• Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced plans to boost Special Branch intelligence capabilities and deepen cooperation with domestic and international security partners.
• Top intelligence sources view the arrests as part of a global pattern of ISIS and Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh exploiting labour migration routes to build overseas jihadist networks.