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TWO Bangladeshi men accused of terrorism-related offences involving the Islamic State (IS) had their charges postponed at the Sessions Court on Friday, after proceedings could not continue due to the absence of a Bangladeshi interpreter.
Mohammad Afsar Bhuiyan, 30, and Md Rafiqul Islam, 35, were brought under heavy police escort to court at 8.30am, but the charges could not be read as both defendants were found not to understand Malay or English.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Lina Hanini Ismail informed Judge Datuk Che Wan Zaidi Che Wan Ibrahim that the case could not proceed in the absence of a suitable interpreter.
"Today was fixed for the mention of the case and reading of the charges, but the Bangladeshi interpreter is not present. I request a new date to enable the court to summon the interpreter. No bail is offered," she said.
Judge Che Wan Zaidi fixed 12 September 2025 for the next mention of the case and for the charges to be formally read.
The two accused are believed to have been in possession of mobile phones containing material linked to IS in Gelang Patah, Johor, in June. Mohammad Afsar is expected to face two charges, while Md Rafiqul will face one.
Both are expected to be charged under Section 130JB(1)(a) of the Penal Code, which criminalises the possession of any item associated with terrorist groups. Upon conviction, the offence carries a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment or a fine. The court may also order the forfeiture of any items involved or intended to be used in the commission of the offence.
This is the second time the court proceedings have been delayed. The men were initially brought before the court on 28 July, but the case was adjourned to today in anticipation of the interpreter’s presence, who was again unavailable.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Lina Hanini Ismail. Both men are currently unrepresented.
The arrests are linked to a wider investigation into the Radical Militant Movement of Bangladesh (Gerakan Militan Radikal Bangladesh, GMRB), a foreign extremist group suspected of recruiting Bangladeshi nationals legally working in Malaysia and exposing them to radical ideologies.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail had previously revealed that the group had been spreading IS ideology to the Bangladeshi migrant community through social media and encrypted messaging apps.
"Initial investigations began after authorities identified several active Facebook accounts spreading IS propaganda. These accounts were linked to IP addresses in Malaysia and operated by Bangladeshi nationals working here," said Mohd Khalid.
A coordinated security operation was launched in April, leading to the arrest of six individuals in Selangor on 28 April. Further interrogations revealed the existence of GMRB, believed to be based in Johor.
Subsequent phases of the operation led to the arrest of 14 individuals, including the group’s leader, in Johor on 7 May. Another 16 were detained between 19 and 21 June, bringing the total number of arrests to 36. - August 8, 2025
