Why do Bangladeshi jihadists consider Malaysia a safe haven?

The latest arrest of 36 Bangladeshis accused of promoting extremism, recruiting jihadists, and collecting funds builds on a decade-long pattern of extremists seeking refuge in Malaysia.

Since 2016, Malaysian authorities have arrested numerous Bangladeshi nationals for terrorism-related activities, including seven supporters in 2019 tied to the Holey Artisan attack.

Over 50 arrests between 2016 and 2023 involved plots to attack or fund terrorism, highlighting Malaysia’s ongoing challenge with Bangladeshi extremists using the country as a hideout and operational base.

Reports say that since 2013, individuals involved in terrorist attacks in Bangladesh have fled to Malaysia to evade capture. Many of them were arrested and prosecuted or deported.

Latest, 36 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in Malaysia on allegations of their involvement in a militant movement, as reported by local outlet Malay Mail on Friday.

Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the police arrested these individuals this week, identifying them as directly involved in a “radical movement” centred on extremist beliefs and terrorism ideology.

The planned security operations, launched on April 24, 2025, were conducted in three phases across Selangor and Johor.

Five of the arrested individuals were found to be involved under the Penal Code’s Chapter VIA (offenses relating to terrorism) and have been charged in the courts in Shah Alam and Johor Bahru.

Fifteen others will face deportation, while the remaining 16 are undergoing further investigation regarding their militant involvement, according to the minister’s statement.

“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.

The police also discovered that this group established recruitment cells within their community to indoctrinate radical beliefs, collect funds for terrorist activities, and attempt to topple the legitimate government in Bangladesh.

Saifuddin stressed that Malaysia will not become a place of shelter or a base for subversive elements from foreign extremist movements. He emphasised that the police’s action demonstrates the Malaysian government’s serious stance and unwillingness to compromise on threats to national security.

The success of this operation underscores the efficiency and professionalism of Malaysia’s security forces—particularly the police—in maintaining the country’s sovereignty, harmony, and public peace.

The Home Minister further noted that his ministry will continue to strengthen intelligence capabilities, enhance enforcement, and collaborate with both domestic and foreign security agencies to ensure Malaysia remains peaceful, stable, and free from terrorism threats.

“Any attempts to make Malaysia a base for militant operations or a transit center for extremist movements will be tackled with firm, quick, and effective action,” Saifuddin was quoted as saying by Malay Mail.

Top terrorists linked to Malaysia

A significant figure, Professor Rezaur Razzak, who was linked to the radical NGO Rural Community Development (RCUD), also relocated to Malaysia. Founded by a top official of the Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, RCUD has been associated with promoting extremist ideologies, and Razzak’s move is believed to have facilitated the spread of such beliefs among the Bangladeshi diaspora.

Notably, one of the attackers from the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery attack in Dhaka, identified as Nibras Islam—a former Monash University Malaysia student—had been radicalised and was linked to the planning of the assault that killed 20 hostages, including 17 foreigners.

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He had disappeared from Bangladesh in January 2016 before the attack, with evidence suggesting he spent time in Malaysia before joining the militant cell.

Similarly, Redwanul Azad Rana was a key organiser of the banned Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) or Ansar al-Islam, al-Qaeda’s South Asia wing. He is a convicted mastermind in the murder of atheist blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider. He fled to Malaysia after the killing.

Islami Chhatra Shibir leader Rana, a former North South University student, was deported back to Bangladesh in February 2017, where he was arrested upon arrival.