PM Urges Malaysia to Recruit More Bangladeshi Workers

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday urged Malaysia to open labour market for Bangladeshi workers as soon as possible as well as recruit more Bangladeshis.

“Bangladeshi workers, students, professionals, and entrepreneurs in Malaysia serve as an important bridge between the two countries. Their contributions benefit both our economies and societies. I requested His Excellency Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to consider recruiting more Bangladeshi workers, as well as to open labour market as soon as possible,” he said.

The Prime Minister was addressing a joint press conference with his Malaysian counterpart following a bilateral meeting at Perdana Putra, the office of the Malaysian Prime Minister at Putrajaya.

Tarique Rahman said he also raised issues relating to the regularisation of irregular workers, and repatriation of the detained Bangladeshis, if possible, saying they agreed that recruitment should be transparent, fair, and affordable, reducing intermediaries and lower costs for workers.

The Prime Minister said he and Anwar Ibrahim had discussions on a wide range of issues. “We have discussed bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and international developments. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening Bangladesh-Malaysia relations. We agree to enhance engagement through existing mechanisms, including the Joint Commission Meeting and bilateral consultations between our Foreign Ministries,” he said.

He also said they welcome the growth of bilateral trade and agree to move forward with negotiations on the Bangladesh-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement.

Tarique Rahman said after he took office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in February, one of the first calls he received was from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. “He congratulated and invited me to visit Malaysia. I am honoured to accept his kind invitation. My wife and I are delighted to be here on my first foreign visit as Prime Minister.”

He thanked sincerely thanked the Prime Minister, the government, and the people of Malaysia for their warm welcome and hospitality, describing the country as a trusted and long-standing partner of Bangladesh. “Our friendship is built on mutual trust, shared values, and strong people-to-people ties.”

The Bangladesh delegation at the bilateral meeting included Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, Finance and Planning Affairs Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Education Adviser Mahdi Amin, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and other senior officials.

Following the press conference, Tarique Rahman, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of the Bangladesh delegation will attend a state luncheon hosted by Anwar Ibrahim at his official residence, Seri Perdana Complex.

Renowned Malaysian artistes are expected to perform cultural programmes during the luncheon, including songs in both Bangla and Malay, reflecting the close friendship between the two nations.

The bilateral talks followed a one-on-one meeting between Tarique Rahman and Anwar Ibrahim, aimed at further strengthening the close relations between the two countries and deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The closed-door meeting began around 9:30am local time at Perdana Putra, the office of the Malaysian Prime Minister.

The meeting marks Tarique Rahman's first official bilateral engagement with a foreign head of government since taking office and is a key event of his maiden overseas visit as prime minister.

Earlier in the morning, Tarique Rahman arrived at the Perdana Putra with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, around 9:00am local time.

He was accorded a warm red-carpet welcome by Anwar Ibrahim, highlighting the importance Malaysia attaches to the visit.

Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, warmly received the Bangladesh Prime Minister and exchanged greetings before the formal ceremony began.

Tarique Rahman was then escorted along a red carpet to the ceremonial square, where a smartly-turnout contingent of the Malaysian Armed Forces presented a guard of honour.

The national anthems of Bangladesh and Malaysia were played as the two prime ministers stood side by side during the ceremony.

After inspecting the guard of honour, Anwar Ibrahim introduced members of his Cabinet and senior government officials to the Bangladesh Prime Minister. Tarique Rahman, in turn, introduced the members of his delegation to his Malaysian counterpart.

Before the visit, the area surrounding Perdana Putra was decorated with the national flags of Bangladesh and Malaysia. Rows of flags lined both sides of the boulevard leading to the Prime Minister's Office, while the two countries' flags flew side by side around Putrajaya Square and the government complex.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday night at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on a two-day official visit, reports UNB.