Malaysian police have arrested 36 Bangladeshi individuals on charges of association with a "radical militant movement", reports Malay Mail on Friday.
The police arrested 36 Bangladesh citizens this week, who were found to be directly involved in a "radical militant movement" centred on extremist beliefs and terrorism ideology, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated today, the report reads.
The security operations began on April 24 with three phases of arrests in Selangor and Johor, organised by the police.
Out of the 36 arrested, five of them have been identified as being involved with the Penal Code's Chapter VIA (which covers offences relating to terrorism), 15 will face deportation and the remaining 16 will be subjected to further investigation over their involvement in this militant movement, according to Saifuddin, as per the report.
"The Special Branch team's intelligence and coordinated action revealed that this group brought in extremist beliefs based on the Islamic State (IS) ideology into the country," Saifuddin said in a statement on Friday.
The Home Minister added that the police had also found that this group had created recruitment cells within their community for the purposes of indoctrination of radical beliefs, collecting funds for terrorism activities and to topple the legitimate government in their country of origin, the report added.
He stressed that Malaysia will not become a place of shelter or a place for subversive elements by any foreign extremist movements.
Moreover, he notes that the police's action proves the government is very serious and will not compromise with any elements that can threaten national security.
Praising the arrests, he said the success of this operation has shown the efficiency and professionalism of Malaysia's security forces — especially the police — in ensuring the country's sovereignty, harmony and public peace.
The Home Ministry will continue to strengthen intelligence capabilities and increase enforcement, besides working together with both domestic and foreign security agencies to ensure Malaysia remains peaceful, stable and free from threats of terrorism, explained Saifuddin
"Any attempts to make Malaysia a base for militant operations or transit centre for extremism movements will be tackled with firm, quick and effective action," said the Home Minister, as quoted in Malay Mail.
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