Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has said that an arrested group that aimed to spread extremist ideology rooted in Islamic State (IS) beliefs involved only Bangladeshi nationals.
“Their activities were focused on violent extremism with the objective of toppling the government in their country of origin (Bangladesh),” New Straits Times quoted him as telling reporters following an event at the Hulu Terengganu District Council Hall.
He added that the police’s Special Branch’s investigations showed that no Malaysians were enlisted in a foreign extremist network that was recently discovered by authorities and connected to Bangladeshi citizens.
“It is important to inform the public that our security forces are on high alert. If such activities are not addressed firmly, they could pose a serious threat to national security,” Ismail added.
Ismail had previously disclosed that authorities had arrested 36 Bangladeshi nationals suspected of direct involvement in the radical movement, thereby dismantling the overseas militant network.
Beginning on April 24, a three-phase security operation in Johor and Selangor resulted in the arrests.