Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday expressed the hope that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia to be taken to a new height.
Putting an emphasis on corruption free society, democracy and rule of law, both the leaders have committed to revitalising longstanding bilateral issues through trade and investment.
Earlier, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Dhaka on a short visit at the invitation of the Chief Adviser Professor Yunus.
On his arrival, the Malaysian premier was received by the Chief Adviser at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) where he was given a guard of honour.
Mentioning that bilateral relations flourish shared values, trust and appreciation of people’s interest, Prof Yunus said they discussed the areas of cooperation, trade and investment, and culture during their talks.
“To fulfil the aspirations of the mass people, we appreciate the unwavering support and cooperation of our brotherly country, Malaysia,” he said while responding to a question during a joint press appearance with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at a hotel in Dhaka.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim showed full confidence in the desire of Prof Yunus-led interim government to rebuild Bangladesh a new.
He also said his government would give immediate attention to the fresh recruitment of 18,000 Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia in the first phase subject to all conditions are met.
“We have discussed the whole system. And we have gone through very transparent procedures. We need workers but they can’t be treated as modern slaves no matter if they are from Bangladesh or other countries. I said this publicly in the past like now,” Ibrahim said while responding to a question during the joint press appearance with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
The chief adviser said the talks focused on the unprecedented mass movement, the second revolution of Bangladesh.
Noting that the students scarified their lives for their freedom and building a discrimination-free new Bangladesh, he said the interim government is committed to building an inclusive and just Bangladesh.
Highlighting the importance of a quick and international solution to the Rohingya crisis through joint efforts, Chief Adviser said the solution to the problem is in the hands of the international community, not Bangladesh alone.
“We will keep on raising the issue. Malaysia will be supporting us in raising that. We cannot wait for an indefinite period. This is something we have to resolve as soon as possible,” he said while responding to a question during a joint press appearance with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The Nobel Peace Laureate said they have discussed the issue as this is also an issue for Malaysia as a number, although smaller, of Rohingyas are staying in Malaysia.
“We need to find a solution to that problem. And we work together through ASEAN, through the Malaysian government and through the broader international community,” he said.
Malaysia is going to be the next chair of ASEAN from January 2025.
Prof Yunus highlighted two aspects of the Rohingya crisis – new children born on an average 32,000 every year over the last seven years adding with the 1.2 million Rohingyas.
He said it is not the birthrate that concerns Bangladesh but it is about what happens in their life. “A whole new generation of young people is growing up. This is a generation of angry young people. They have no future.”
Prof Yunus said the worry for the whole world is that this is a ticking time-bomb that can explode any time in any way.
He said new entries are also happening every day with a constant flow. “This is a concern I shared with the Prime Minister of Malaysia. He is fully supportive and understands our position.”
Prof Yunus said Malaysia will be supporting Bangladesh through ASEAN and international forums to find an international solution to this problem.
Seven years ago, on August 25, 2017, some 700,000 Rohingya men, women and children were forced to flee Myanmar and sought protection in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
In 2024, humanitarian agencies appealed for $852 million to assist 1.35 million people, including Rohingya refugees in surrounding communities. This appeal remains inadequately funded, according to UNHCR.
