Saturday | 5 October 2024 | Reg No- 06
বাংলা
   
Saturday | 5 October 2024 | Epaper
BREAKING: ● Killing during students' movement: 9 bodies to be exhumed in Sylhet      ● Malaysian prime minister leaves Dhaka for home      ● CA seeks Malaysian support for Bangladesh to be ASEAN dialogue partner      ● Malaysian PM assures of attention to 18,000 Bangladesh workers       ● Bid to kill Khaleda Zia: Sheikh Hasina among 113 sued      ● Thundershowers with 60 km/h wind likely to hit 17 regions      ● Ex-food minister Sadhan Chandra remanded      

Malaysian PM pledges attention to fresh entry of 18,000 BD workers

Published : Saturday, 5 October, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 171
Diplomatic Correspondent
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated on Friday that his government would give immediate attention to the entry of 18,000 Bangladeshi workers into Malaysia in the first phase, provided all conditions are met.

"We have discussed the entire system and ensured it follows transparent procedures. We need workers, but they cannot be treated as modern slaves, regardless of whether they are from Bangladesh or other countries. I have said this publicly before, and I reiterate it now," the Malaysian Prime Minister remarked during a joint press appearance with Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.

However, Anwar Ibrahim urged Bangladesh to be cautious, stressing the importance of not defending criminal actions, whether by Malaysians or foreigners residing in Malaysia.

Currently, an estimated 800,000 Bangladeshis live and work in Malaysia, with around 450,000 migrating between August 2022 and May this year.

Chief Adviser Dr Yunus and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a brief one-on-one meeting at Hazrat Shahjalal Airport before moving on to bilateral talks at Hotel InterContinental.

Professor Yunus expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian Prime Minister on behalf of the Bangladeshi people for addressing the worker issue. He expressed his pleasure in welcoming Anwar Ibrahim to Dhaka, noting that they had been friends for over four decades.

During their bilateral discussions, the two leaders focused on three core areas: political matters, trade and investment. Topics of mutual interest included economic, political, trade and investment relations, education, technology and human resource development, manpower export, higher education cooperation, communications, infrastructure development, and defence cooperation.

Prime Minister Anwar emphasised the importance of a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership" and addressed the need to expedite matters concerning Malaysian companies in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi companies in Malaysia. He also underscored Malaysia's zero-tolerance stance on corruption, governance issues, and economic fundamentals.

The Malaysian Prime Minister suggested that a joint commission meeting could be held soon. He was accorded a red-carpet reception on his short official visit, aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries.

"We congratulate Malaysia on its upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2025. We discussed Bangladesh's inclusion as a sectoral dialogue partner in ASEAN, and we look forward to Malaysia's active role in this process," Professor Yunus stated during the joint press briefing.

Reflecting on the longstanding friendship between the two countries, Professor Yunus acknowledged Malaysia's unwavering support for the interim government, highlighting the significance of Anwar Ibrahim's visit as the first by any prime minister since the interim government took office two months ago.

During the bilateral talks, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to revitalising long-standing bilateral issues. Professor Yunus also spoke about the ongoing mass movement in Bangladesh and the sacrifices made by students for freedom and the establishment of a new, discrimination-free nation. He reiterated the interim government's commitment to building an inclusive and just Bangladesh.

"To fulfil the aspirations of the people, we appreciate the unwavering support and cooperation of our brotherly country, Malaysia," he added.

Professor Yunus noted that bilateral relations are strengthened by shared values, mutual trust, and a commitment to the interests of the people. The discussions also covered cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, culture, agriculture, energy, connectivity, the blue economy, science, innovation, and defence.

Additionally, the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar was a key topic, with Professor Yunus requesting that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pursue the issue at the ASEAN forum to expedite a resolution.

"We acknowledge the regular bilateral meetings between foreign advisers and secretaries, and look forward to the next joint commission meeting in Dhaka," Dr Yunus said.

He also stressed the importance of signing a free trade agreement between Bangladesh and Malaysia and explored avenues for increased cooperation in various sectors, including the potential to send more Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia.

"We are committed to working closely to elevate our bilateral relations to new heights," Dr Yunus concluded.



LATEST NEWS
MOST READ
Also read
Ctg Port activities increase in 1st quarter of current fiscal
11 power deals including with Adani being reviewed
UN council backs Guterres after Israel deems him 'persona non grata'
Wouldn't let nation be divided on basis of party, religion: Jamaat Ameer
BAIRA urges action against recruitment syndicate 
Farhad Mazhar hospitalised
Interim govt's 3rd round dialogue with political parties today
Attack on Durga Puja pandals in BD undesirable: New Delhi 
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Online: 41053014; Advertisement: 41053012.
E-mail: info©dailyobserverbd.com, news©dailyobserverbd.com, advertisement©dailyobserverbd.com, For Online Edition: mailobserverbd©gmail.com
🔝