KUALA LUMPUR – Police have recently apprehended a militant group led by a Bangladeshi national, which is suspected of raising funds and recruiting individuals in Malaysia to support the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Bangladesh.
Inspector-General of Police, Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail, said that initial investigations revealed the group collected funds through annual membership fees of RM500 per individual, along with extra donations depending on the financial circumstances of the members.
He said that recruitment efforts were carried out via social media platforms and messaging applications like WhatsApp and Telegram.
The group is believed to have around 100 to 150 members, mainly made up of Bangladeshi workers employed in industries such as factories, construction, and petrol stations in the country.
"The money collected was channeled abroad using e-wallet applications and international money transfer services," Mohd Khalid was quoted by Bernama today.
He also said that the police are still investigating the amount of funds that have been channeled to IS groups in Syria and Bangladesh to date.
Commenting further on the use of social media for recruitment purposes, Mohd Khalid said the application was also used by the group to spread propaganda, carry out the baiah (oath of allegiance) process, and organize secret activities, including religious studies and member meetings.
He said that individuals who recited the baiah online would be appointed as cell leaders to expand the group's influence, while the membership recruitment process was carried out in stages, starting with membership screening up to the formation of elite groups.
However, Mohd Khalid stressed that investigations so far have found that no Malaysians were involved in the movement, which has been identified as active for the past year.
He said investigations also found that the group did not target Malaysia as a location for attacks, but only used the country as a place to raise funds and recruit members.
However, further investigations will continue in cooperation with the Bangladeshi authorities and Interpol.
According to Mohd Khalid, his team detected the group's activities through social media accounts using Malaysian internet addresses, actively spreading IS ideology and run by Bangladeshi nationals.
Following the detection, the police launched an integrated operation to arrest members of the group.
"In the first phase of the operation on 28 April, six individuals were arrested around Selangor, and the arrests revealed the structure of the group based in Johor.
"The second phase on 7 May saw police continuing operations in Johor and successfully arresting 14 individuals, including the group leader.
"Meanwhile, the third phase was carried out from 19 to 21 June, involving the arrest of 16 more individuals, thus closing the main network of the group operating in the country," he said.
Mohd Khalid said that a total of 36 individuals aged between 25 and 35 were arrested. Of that number, five suspects have been charged under Section 6A of the Penal Code, while 16 others are still being held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) for further investigation and prosecution.
He said the remaining individuals who were found to be only minimally involved in the activities would be repatriated to their country of origin.
Commenting on the actions to combat the militant group, Mohd Khalid stressed that national security is the main priority of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and they would not compromise on any form of terrorist threat to protect the people and the country.
"I urge all Malaysians to be more aware of their surroundings and immediately report any suspicious activities to the authorities," he said. - July 4, 2025
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