Earlier, at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, Malaysian Inspector General of Police Khalid Ismail announced that 36 Bangladeshi nationals had been arrested on suspicion of militant links.

Citing the Malaysian police chief, news agency Reuters reported that Malaysian authorities had dismantled a network of Bangladeshi workers who were allegedly promoting the ideology of the Islamic State (IS) and raising funds through social media platforms.

The arrested workers were reportedly sending money to Syria and the IS group.

The law adviser said: “They are being interrogated. Others who return to the country after being arrested on such charges will also be interrogated. If there is evidence of their involvement in militancy, they will face trial.”

Quoting intelligence sources, Malaysian police chief said: “The group targeted other Bangladeshi workers for recruitment and spread extremist ideology using social media and online messaging platforms. Of the 36 arrested Bangladeshi workers, five have been charged with being members of a terrorist organization. Fifteen will be deported to Bangladesh, and the remaining sixteen are still in police custody under investigation.”

The Malaysian police chief added: “It is believed that around 100 to 150 individuals may be involved in the network. Those with lesser involvement will be deported, while those deeply involved will be prosecuted under Malaysian law. Operations to apprehend suspected militants will continue.”