Malaysia has denied entry to more than 600 Bangladeshi nationals between January and July 2025, with a sharp spike in rejections reported in recent weeks.

From July 22 to July 27 alone, 321 Bangladeshis were turned away at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

• On July 24, 123 Bangladeshis were among 198 foreigners refused entry due to lack of hotel bookings, insufficient funds, vague travel purposes, and suspected syndicate links.

• On July 25, another 80 Bangladeshis were blocked in a special operation focused on immigration compliance.

Earlier in mid-July, 96 Bangladeshis were also denied entry—bringing the known 2025 tally to over 600 refusals, many resulting in immediate deportations or being placed on “Not-to-Land” lists.

In June and July, Malaysian authorities arrested 36 Bangladeshi workers linked to the Gerakan Militan Radikal Bangladesh (GMRB). The group allegedly recruited migrants and raised funds for ISIS using social media and e-wallet platforms.

These developments have led to tighter airport surveillance and scrutiny of Bangladeshi travelers, triggering diplomatic and diaspora challenges for Dhaka.

As Malaysia steps up counter-terrorism efforts, Bangladesh now faces the challenge of maintaining citizens’ mobility rights while rebuilding international trust. The situation reveals a growing tension between migration management and security in a region already under geopolitical strain.