The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said on Saturday that Bangladesh will cooperate with Malaysia in the ‘terror investigation’ as the Malaysian authorities announced that they had arrested 36 Bangladeshis in the recent security operations for their alleged involvement in a ‘radical militant’ movement.
“Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur immediately engaged with the relevant Malaysian authorities and formally requested the identities of the individuals and information regarding the allegations brought against them,” the ministry said.
Bangladesh reiterated its firm position against all forms of terrorism, violent extremism and militancy, and it remains ready to extend full cooperation to the Malaysian authorities in this regard
Of the arrested or detained people, formal charges have been filed against five in Malaysian courts, the MoFA said.
The rest are in the process of either further investigation or deportation, Bangladesh said, updating on the recent incidents.
The government of Bangladesh is ‘closely monitoring’ the developments and the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is in close communication with the relevant Malaysian authorities.
The Bangladesh High Commission will extend necessary support to the expatriate Bangladeshis wherever needed, the ministry added.
The Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group (GMRB), recently dismantled by the Malaysian police, is believed to have been raising funds and recruiting members for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Bangladesh, said the Malaysian government on Friday.
Of the 36 suspects aged between 25 and 35, five have been charged under Section 6A of the Penal Code, while 16 are still held under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA) for further investigation and prosecution.
Bangladesh is waiting for details from the Malaysian side as it has already sought detailed information from Malaysian authorities regarding the arrest of 36 Bangladeshi nationals in Malaysia.
“We have sought detailed information about the 36 Bangladeshis arrested in Malaysia, and we are now awaiting their response,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.