The National Human Rights Commission yesterday wrote to the foreign ministry over Rayhan Kabir's arrest in Malaysia, urging the ministry to provide the Bangladeshi necessary legal support in the Southeast Asian country. 

In the letter, the commission also expressed deep concern over a series of steps taking against Rayhan by the Malaysian authorities in the last couple of weeks.

Kazi Arfan Ashik, director (admin and finance) of NHRC, said the commission urged the ministry to provide necessary legal support to Rayhan after "properly scrutinising" the arrest incident through Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

On Friday, the Malaysian immigration department arrested Rayhan, 25, in Kuala Lumpur following an interview he gave to Al Jazeera news channel on Malaysia's treatment to migrant workers during the movement control order enforced to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

In a tweet, Al Jazeera yesterday termed the arrest "disturbing".

"Al Jazeera finds it disturbing that Bangladeshi migrant worker Mohammad Rayhan Kabir has been arrested for choosing to speak up about some of the experiences of the voiceless and the vulnerable," reads the tweet, posted by Al Jazeera public relations.

The Qatar-based global news outlet said Rayhan, who featured in its 101 East programme "Locked Up in Malaysia's Lockdown", was subjected to abusive online harassment, hate speech, and became the target of a manhunt in Malaysia.

"Al Jazeera reaffirms its support to freedom of expression as a fundamental human right -- without fear of being criminalised."

Local and international rights groups condemned the Malaysian authorities' steps against the Bangladeshi national and called for his protection.

On Saturday, 21 civil society organisations working on migration and development in Bangladesh demanded his immediate release.

Rayhan, who went to Malaysia in 2014 and had been working after completing his bachelor's degree, was the target of Malaysia's manhunt after his criticism against Malaysia's detention of undocumented migrant workers in the Al Jazeera's documentary aired on July 3.

In the 26-minute video, he accused the authorities of "racism" against the undocumented migrants in Malaysia.

The documentary said the undocumented migrants were at risk during the coronavirus pandemic when over 2,000 migrant workers were arrested during raids in areas of Kuala Lumpur that were placed under tight virus lockdowns.

Following the coronavirus outbreak, Malaysia enforced movement control order to curb the virus infections.

After the documentary broadcast, the Malaysian immigration department issued a public announcement with Rayhan's photo and address asking people to help arrest him.

He had to hide himself in fear of arrest while his work permit was also revoked.

Following the arrest, Rayhan was placed on 14-day remand, according to media report.

On Saturday, two Malaysian lawyers were appointed for him.

Malaysia said it would deport Rayhan and blacklist him from entering the country forever.