Malaysia backs Bangladesh’s ASEAN membership bid

Malaysian Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong meets a visiting delegation from Bangladesh’s National Defence College in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, expressing support for Bangladesh’s potential inclusion in ASEAN.

Malaysia has expressed strong support for Bangladesh’s aspiration to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), citing its economic growth and strategic regional importance.

During a meeting with a visiting delegation from Bangladesh’s National Defence College (NDC), led by Major General Md Moshfequr Rahman, Malaysian Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Liew Chin Tong said, “I believe it is a great idea that ASEAN should seriously consider.”

He also noted that Bangladesh had reiterated its interest in ASEAN membership during a recent speech delivered by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at an international conference in Tokyo.

The deputy minister emphasised Bangladesh’s growing relevance to Malaysia—not only due to the significant presence of Bangladeshi workers, but also because of the country’s economic potential as the world’s eighth most populous nation.

He expressed hope for stronger bilateral economic ties in the future and informed the delegation of his upcoming visit to Bangladesh at the end of June.