M'sia to prioritise Bangladesh's request for labour opportunities

Malaysia will give major consideration to the applications of Bangladeshi workers who lost job opportunities due to political developments in their country, said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the Bangladeshi government had appealed to Malaysia on the possibility of increasing the intake of workers and skilled professionals from the country.

“I will certainly give that a major consideration, at least in the first phase, subject to all conditions being met,” he said in a joint press conference with chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government Muhammad Yunus, after a bilateral meeting in Dhaka yesterday.

Anwar was on a one-day visit to the country. It was the first visit by a head of foreign government to Bangladesh since the formation of an interim government led by Muhammad (above, right), a Nobel laureate.

On investment, Anwar said both countries should prioritise giving attention and preference to investing firms, ensuring that problems were addressed swiftly and transparently.

“In Malaysia, our focus is governance, anti-corruption and economic fundamentals, we do not compromise this because we don’t need to associate political leaders with amassing wealth and enriching themselves, their families or their cronies.

“Therefore, I understand well that though we want Malaysian companies operating here (in Bangladesh) to be given adequate consideration, I will not compromise on transparency and due diligence issues in the process,” he added.

The prime minister said both countries would also be looking to enhance collaboration in higher education, agriculture, the halal economy, and the semiconductor industry.

“We can fast track in terms of negotiation and trade arrangement but what is important is having the joint commission meeting as soon as possible,” Anwar said.

Muhammad said Dhaka is looking forward to the joint commission meeting early next year to boost bilateral trade.

“Future areas of collaboration could be in finance, including sovereign fund, pension fund, private equity fund, health education, data sciences and AI,” he said.

- Bernama

708 killed in B’desh during protests against ex-PM, says transitional gov't

Protesters slam govt's silence over attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

Violence in Bangladesh: NGOs to hold protest outside high comm

Charles: Anwar must speak out against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

COMMENT | The fall of Bangladesh's iron lady

Why are students in Bangladesh protesting job reservations?

Govt to bring M'sians back from Bangladesh - Anwar