According to a counter-terrorism network, the extremists are attracted by the widespread presence of radical ideologies in Malaysia, and weak policies on countering radicalism.
00:01An analysis by the Nordic Counterterrorism Network has found that several radical Islamist groups based in Europe are planning to relocate their operations to Malaysia.
00:11The network's director, Andrin Raj, said foreign Islamist radicals are drawn to establishing a foothold in Malaysia because of the widespread presence of radical ideologies in the country.
00:23He also said current policies failed to address the symptoms and root causes of radicalism.
00:28Last week, the Home Ministry announced the detention of 36 foreign nationals since April for alleged involvement in a militant radical movement and alleged promotion of extremist ideology linked to the radical Islamic State movement.
00:42Raj said IS had been steadily expanding its influence in Southeast Asia in recent years, citing last year's attempted assassination of Pope Francis in Jakarta that was allegedly linked to IS operatives.
00:54Separately, University Technology Mara Analyst Nurnirwandi Madhurdin said the latest arrests underscored the need for security laws such as the Prevention of Crime Act, the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Security Offences Act.
