Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will embark on a three-day official visit to Malaysia on Monday, August 11, at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, with Rohingya repatriation set to be the central focus of high-level talks.

According to the Chief Adviser’s press office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, up to five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed during the trip. Yunus will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Anwar in Putrajaya on August 12, where Dhaka will urge Malaysia and other ASEAN nations to take a more proactive role in ensuring the safe, dignified, and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.

Foreign Ministry Director General (Public Diplomacy) Shah Asif Rahman told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Sunday that discussions will also cover expansion of the labour market, maritime resource development, agricultural cooperation, and boosting bilateral trade.

Trade opportunity at Malaysia

Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, said the visit will address cooperation on waste management and investment in deep-sea fishing. Bangladesh plans to unlock the potential of its 210,000 square kilometre maritime boundary, which is larger than its land area, to ensure sustainable resource use a priority already discussed during Yunus’ recent trip to Japan.

Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing will also be on the agenda, with talks on potential collaboration with Malaysia’s Proton Holdings. Yunus is scheduled to meet the CEO of Axiata Group to explore digital connectivity and technology partnerships.

The delegation includes Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, and Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul, alongside senior officials. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury will take part in business forums to promote investment opportunities.

There is also a possibility of a meeting with former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, where issues surrounding labour migration complexities could be discussed. Alam acknowledged concerns over Bangladeshi students and workers in Malaysia, promising the matter will be raised during talks.

On security cooperation, he confirmed that police forces in both countries have agreed to establish a faster intelligence-sharing mechanism to address concerns over detained Bangladeshis suspected of militant links.

The visit follows Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s trip to Dhaka in October 2023 at Dr Yunus’ invitation, marking a continued deepening of ties between Bangladesh and Malaysia — with the fate of the Rohingya people high on the diplomatic agenda.

BOB Post