Latest news with #GMRB
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Bangladesh to cooperate fully with Malaysia in GMRB militant group investigation
KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 — Bangladesh has pledged full cooperation to Malaysian authorities following the arrest of 36 Bangladeshi nationals in a recent security operation targeting alleged involvement in the Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group (GMRB). The Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur promptly engaged with the relevant Malaysian authorities and formally requested the identities of the individuals as well as information regarding the allegations brought against them. Five of the individuals have been formally charged in Malaysian courts, while the rest are undergoing further investigation or deportation processes, the ministry said in a statement yesterday. "The Bangladesh government is closely monitoring the developments, and the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur is in close communication with the relevant Malaysian authorities and will extend necessary support to the expatriate Bangladeshis wherever needed,' it said. The ministry also reiterated Bangladesh's firm stance against all forms of terrorism, violent extremism, and militancy, reaffirming its commitment to cooperate fully with Malaysian authorities in this regard. Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail reportedly said that police initially detected the group's activities through social media accounts operated by Bangladeshi nationals using Malaysian IP addresses to spread IS ideology. He said a three-phase operation between April and June led to the arrest of 36 Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group (GMRB) members, including their leader, dismantling the group's Johor-based network. — Bernama
Borneo Post
18 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Bangladeshi militant group crippled
Ahmad Ramdzan presenting the award to the best academic participant at the event. KOTA KINABALU (July 5): The Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has confirmed that the Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group (GMRB) has been successfully crippled following a series of raids and operations in Peninsular Malaysia since April. Bukit Aman Special Branch I Deputy Director, Datuk Ahmad Ramdzan Daud, said all identified members of the group have been arrested. 'So far, I can say that the Bangladeshi militant group, GMRB, has been crippled. However, we believe there may still be other militant elements that have yet to be detected, and we will continue monitoring the situation closely,' he said. Ahmad Ramdzan made the statement at the Police Basic Training Programme (PULAPOL) Graduation Parade, Series 5/2025, held at the Sabah Police Contingent Headquarters (IPK) in Kepayan on Saturday. He highlighted that one of the major challenges in combating radical groups like GMRB is their use of social media to recruit members and spread extremist ideologies. 'Some members of GMRB were recruited through social media platforms, which have become powerful tools for the covert dissemination of radical views. We need to strengthen our technological and cyber-monitoring capabilities to detect these activities early,' he said. While acknowledging social media's role in public engagement, Ahmad Ramdzan warned that it is also being manipulated by foreign militant elements. 'Social media can serve as the eyes and ears of the public for law enforcement, but at the same time, it is exploited for extremism. We remain committed to our responsibilities, with a strong focus on community service,' he added. At the event, a total of 200 trainees completed their six-month police training, which comprised three core modules — Policing Transformation, Mindset Transformation and Policing Management.
New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Bangladeshi militant group dismantled, other elements yet to be detected
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.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Bukit Aman must up its cybersecurity game after GMRB, says Special Branch deputy director
KOTA KINABALU: Bukit Aman recognises the need to stay up to speed with the rapid technological and cybersecurity advancements to intercept the spread of radical ideologies. Bukit Aman Special Branch deputy director Comm Datuk Ahmad Ramdzan Daud said militant and extremist groups like the Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group (GMRB) were making full use of social media to recruit members and spread their ideologies. "We need to improve our technological and cyber-monitoring capabilities so that we can detect such activities early," he said. He said that while social media has become an important tool for communication, it has also become a major weapon for foreign militants. "Social media can be the eyes and ears of the community towards us, but at the same time, it is also manipulated for the purpose of extremism,' Comm Ahmad Ramdzan stressed. He said although police have crippled the GMRB, which was collecting funds to support Islamic State (IS) cells in Syria and Bangladesh, they believe there were still other militant elements yet to be detected. 'Therefore, we continue to monitor the situation,' he said, adding it was their duty to remain vigilant and do their best in any circumstances. Comm Ahmad Ramdzan said this to reporters after closing the Police Basic Training Programme (Pulapol) graduation parade, Series 5/2025 at the Sabah police headquarters in Kepayan here, Saturday (July 5). A total of 200 trainees completed their six-month training, which included three main modules, namely Policing Transformation, Mindset Transformation and Policing Management.
Focus Malaysia
2 days ago
- Focus Malaysia
IGP: GMRB militant group funding IS operations in Syria, Bangladesh
THE Bangladeshi Radical Militant Group (GMRB), recently dismantled by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), is believed to have been raising funds and recruiting members for the Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Bangladesh. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said the group collected funds by charging an annual membership fee of RM500 per person, as well as other voluntary contributions based on members' financial means. Initial investigations revealed the group had between 100 and 150 members, all Bangladeshi nationals working in labour sectors such as factories, construction sites, and petrol stations across Malaysia. 'The funds collected were then transferred abroad using e-wallet applications and international money transfer services,' he told a press conference here today. Mohd Khalid added that the group also used social media platforms and messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to recruit new members. – July 4, 2025
