Bangladeshi militant group dismantled, other elements yet to be detected

New Straits Times

14 hours ago

KOTA KINABALU: Police have confirmed that the Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group (GMRB), spreading extremist beliefs and ideology among Bangladeshi in the country, has been successfully dismantled.
Special Branch Deputy Director I of Bukit Aman, Datuk Ahmad Ramdzan Daud, said this followed a coordinated operation launched by the police since April, with all members of the foreign militant group now in custody.
"As of now, I can say that the Bangladeshi militant group, GMRB, has been dismantled.
"However, we believe there are still other militant elements yet to be detected, and that will be detailed in due course," he said when met after the graduation ceremony for the 78th Basic Police Training Programme Series 5/2025 at Sabah police headquarters today.
He added that one of the main challenges to combat such movements like GRMB was due to the use of social media as a platform to recruit new members and spread extremist ideology.
"Some of them (GMRB) were recruited through social media. It has become the main platform for spreading radical beliefs silently.
"(As such), we must enhance our capabilities in terms of technology and cyber monitoring so that such activities can be detected earlier," he said.
He also said that despite social media being an important communication tool for the public, it has now become a key weapon for foreign militants.
"Social media can serve as the eyes and ears of the public for us, but at the same time, it is also being manipulated for extremist purposes.
"We are doing our best to carry out our duties with a strong focus on serving the community," he said.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the militant movement based on Islamic State (IS) extremist beliefs and violent ideology used social media and messaging applications to spread their ideology, recruit new members and collect funds.
He also said the group focused their efforts on recruiting Bangladeshis who worked in factories, petrol stations and construction sites.
It was reported that police detained 36 Bangladeshi nationals recently.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was quoted as saying the planned security operation, which began on April 24, was carried out in three phases in Selangor and Johor.
Of those detained, five individuals have been charged under Section 4A of the Offences Relating to Terrorism (Chapter VIA) of the Penal Code in the Shah Alam and Johor Baru Sessions Courts.
Another 15 people have been issued deportation orders, while 16 others are under investigation for involvement in the militant movement.
Intelligence gathered by the Special Branch revealed that the group had introduced IS-inspired ideology into the country and had formed recruitment cells within their community.
Saifuddin said that Malaysia would not serve as a haven or staging ground for any foreign extremist movement.