Imported Terror Radicalised Migrants In Malaysia

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The recent arrest of 36 Bangladeshi nationals in Malaysia linked to Islamic State (IS) ideology, recruitment, and fundraising to overthrow the Bangladeshi government highlights a disturbing security development.
Migrant workers, once perceived mainly through the lens of economic necessity, are increasingly becoming targets and tools for transnational terrorist networks.
This case is not an isolated incident. It reflects a growing trend where foreign terrorist elements exploit migrant vulnerabilities to infiltrate host nations like Malaysia and to propagate violent ideologies among diaspora communities.
The implications are severe, not just for Bangladesh but also for Malaysia, where the manipulation of identity politics and religion, commonly referred to as 3R issues (race, religion, and royalty), could be weaponised to inspire domestic and regional terrorism.
ADSThe primary motivation for these migrant radicals to bring extremist ideology into Malaysia stems from their grievances rooted in homeland politics and religious identity.
Many Bangladeshi migrant workers, particularly those from blue-collar backgrounds, face isolation, discrimination, and economic marginalisation in foreign countries. These conditions make them vulnerable to radical messaging that promises justice, belonging, and purpose.
Bangladesh flagIn both Singapore and Malaysia, radicalised Bangladeshis often do not aim to attack the host country, but rather use it as a base to propagate jihadist ideology, recruit fellow nationals, and plan subversive actions back home.
The goal is frequently to topple the Bangladeshi government in Dhaka, which they see as corrupt, secularist, and hostile toward Islamists. These workers carry the psychological baggage of a deeply polarised Bangladesh where the persecution of Islamist political figures, corruption, and repression have created a narrative of systemic injustice.
Violent ideologies then exploit these narratives, offering “jihad” as a moral duty to defend the ummah and restore Islamic governance.
M’sia emerging as extremist recruitment hub
Malaysia becomes an attractive staging ground for several reasons. First, the country’s large migrant workforce includes hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis, creating a potential recruitment base.
Second, Malaysia’s multicultural, majority-Muslim character allows extremist rhetoric to be disguised as legitimate religious expression, especially when authorities struggle to differentiate between conservative preaching and incitement.
Third, enforcement gaps, particularly along porous borders and through the employment of undocumented labour, facilitate covert radical activity.
Some of the recently arrested suspects were legally documented workers, while others operated in the shadows without formal papers, illustrating that both legal and illegal pathways can be used to infiltrate terrorist ideology.
Crucially, Malaysia must recognise that the threat is no longer confined to foreigners intending to affect only their homeland.
Extremist groups increasingly seek to co-opt local issues to recruit Malaysians into their causes by weaponising race, religion, and royalty.
ADSThe “2R” narrative is already being manipulated online to allege the persecution of Muslims domestically and abroad, and to promote the idea of a caliphate as a just alternative.
Social media becomes a fertile ground for indoctrination, where Malaysian youths disillusioned with political corruption, social inequality, or religious marginalisation are easy targets for radicalisation.
Bolstering border security
This is why Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail warned that imported extremism poses a serious threat to national security. It blurs the line between foreign and domestic radicalism and risks catalysing homegrown terrorism in a country already sensitive to identity politics.
Malaysia must respond to this multi-layered threat with a comprehensive and proactive strategy. One of the most important measures is strengthening border security and intelligence cooperation.
The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) is uniquely positioned to lead this effort.
As a centralised body bringing together the resources and capabilities of various border-related agencies such as Immigration, Customs, and police units, AKPS can play a pivotal role in monitoring cross-border movements, vetting migrant workers, and preventing the entry of individuals flagged for extremist affiliations.
To be effective, AKPS must deepen its collaboration with the police’s Special Branch and the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO). Intelligence sharing should be real-time and guided by predictive analytics using biometric data, travel histories, and behavioural profiling.
The case of Amir Hamza in Singapore, where the preacher entered using a passport not linked to his identity in security databases, shows that traditional border controls are no longer sufficient.
AKPS must adopt an intelligence-driven model that can flag not just known suspects, but also individuals showing patterns consistent with radical activity.
Furthermore, routine screenings should be institutionalised at key points like airports, ports, and migrant processing centres, using a centralised watchlist accessible to all enforcement arms.
Countering migrant radicalisation
In addition to enforcement, Malaysia must strengthen migrant engagement and deradicalisation efforts. A security-first approach without social support can alienate migrant communities and drive radical elements further underground.
Regular outreach programmes at dormitories, work sites, and community centres should be launched to educate migrants about the legal consequences of extremist activities and provide psychological support for those struggling with identity and isolation.
Employers must be held accountable for reporting suspicious behaviour while also ensuring fair treatment of their workers.
Integration efforts that respect cultural diversity while promoting civic responsibility can help migrants build a positive connection with Malaysia, rather than viewing it as a mere launching pad for external ideological battles.
Digital surveillance and content moderation must also be prioritised. Many radicalisation pathways now begin online, where charismatic recruiters, propaganda videos, and religious misinformation flourish.
Malaysia must enhance its cyber capabilities to monitor jihadist communication, both in English and in languages like Bengali and Urdu.
Platforms promoting hate speech and incitement must be taken down swiftly, and radical content creators prosecuted under existing security laws.
Finally, legislative tools such as the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) must be refined, not weakened, to allow swift intervention while safeguarding civil liberties.
Preventive detention, if justified by credible intelligence, remains a necessary measure for neutralising threats before they become active plots.
The presence of radicalised migrants on Malaysian soil is not merely a foreign policy concern - it is a direct challenge to national security.
The ideological spillover from homeland conflicts and transnational jihadist agendas threatens to exploit Malaysia’s racial and religious sensitivities.
The trend, if left unchecked, could see a fusion of imported terrorism and domestic radicalism, turning the country into both a sanctuary and a launchpad for extremist operations.
Malaysia’s response must be layered: combining smart intelligence, hardened borders, integrated enforcement, and community-level prevention.
Only with this holistic approach can the nation shield itself from becoming the next battleground in the global jihadist playbook. - Mkini
R PANEIR SELVAM is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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