KUALA LUMPUR: A recently dismantled Bangladeshi militant cell in Malaysia was found to be collecting funds for Islamic State (IS) operations in Syria and Bangladesh, says Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail.

According to intelligence gathered by the Special Branch’s Counter Terrorism Division (E8), the group, known as Gerakan Militan Radikal Bangladesh, had been actively raising funds and recruiting members with the intention of supporting IS.

“We are still determining the total amount collected. We believe the funds were gathered through membership fees and donations,” Mohd Khalid said at Bukit Aman yesterday.

The group, which had been operating in Malaysia for about a year, also aimed to send members to Syria to fight alongside IS forces.

“We believe they spread their ideology and recruited members through social media and messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram,” he said.

The IGP said the group’s WhatsApp network included between 100 to 150 Bangladeshi nationals, though not all were active members. No Malaysians were involved.

Each recruit was reportedly required to pay an annual membership fee of RM500, while additional donations were made at the discretion of members.

The funds were transferred using various e-wallet apps and international remittance services to Bangladesh, Mohd Khalid added.

The group specifically targeted Bangladeshi migrants working in Malaysia, including labourers, factory workers, as well as those in other sectors, for recruitment.

Prospective members underwent a screening process and were required to take a bai’ah or oath of allegiance before being accepted into the cell.

Asked if the group had links to other IS cells in the region, Mohd Khalid said investigations were ongoing.

“We are working with our counterparts in other countries and with Interpol to uncover their terror network,” he said.

Mohd Khalid also said that investigations found no immediate plans by the group to launch attacks in Malaysia as their focus was on recruitment and spreading IS ideology.

“The spread of extremist ideology within the migrant community poses a real risk of subversive activity, which could tarnish the country’s international diplomatic standing.

“There will be no compromise when it comes to national security. Each action is aimed at protecting the public from terrorism threats,” he said.

The militant cell was taken down in a massive operation carried out by E8 in three phases between April 24 and June 21.

A total of 36 Bangladeshi men, aged between 25 and 35, were arrested in raids across Johor and Selangor, including the group’s leader.

Of those arrested, five have been charged in court, 15 handed over to the Immigration Depart­ment, and 16 remain under investiga­tion under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012.