Malaysia Prioritises Myanmar Peace, Refugee Crisis Resolution – PM Anwar

Putrajaya: Malaysia has reaffirmed that resolving the Myanmar crisis and addressing the refugee situation remain among its top priorities. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim praised Bangladesh for sheltering a large number of Rohingya refugees, saying Malaysia will continue to support and assist Dhaka in this humanitarian effort.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who is on a three-day official visit from 11 to 13 August, Anwar emphasized the need for urgent humanitarian aid to reach refugees and disaster-affected communities. He stressed that political and diplomatic efforts must continue to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Myanmar crisis.

The Prime Minister also announced that Malaysia’s Foreign Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, will coordinate with Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand for an official visit to Myanmar in the coming weeks to promote peace and ensure the protection of ethnic minorities in the country.

On the same day, Bangladesh and Malaysia exchanged eight Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements to strengthen cooperation in sectors including education, diplomacy, defense, energy, and the halal industry.

The agreements are as follows:

1. Cooperation in Higher Education was signed between Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan and Bangladesh’s Adviser for Expatriates’ Welfare, Dr. Asif Nazrul.

2. Diplomatic Training Cooperation Signed between Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.

3. Defense Cooperation Signed between Malaysia’s Defence Minister YB Dato’ Seri Mohamad Khaled bin Nordin and Md Touhid Hossain.

4. LNG and Energy Infrastructure Cooperation Signed between Malaysia’s Second Finance Minister and Acting Economy Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah bin Azizan and M. Fowzul Kabir Khan.

5. Halal Ecosystem Cooperation Signed between Malaysia’s Deputy Minister (Religious Affairs) YB Senator Dr. Zulkifli bin Hasan and Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA.

6. Cooperation between ISIS Malaysia and BIISS Bangladesh was signed by Dr. Mohd Faiz Abdullah and Md Shameem Ahsan.

7. Cooperation between MIMOS Services Sdn. Bhd. and BMCCI Signed by Mohammad Fauzi Yahaya and Sabbir Ahmed Khan.

8. Cooperation between NCCIM Malaysia and FBCCI Bangladesh signed by Dato’ Seri N. Gopalakrishnan and Md Hafizur Rahman.

Following the exchange, leaders from both nations expressed optimism that these agreements would elevate bilateral relations and open new avenues of cooperation in trade, economy, energy, and education.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim commended the contribution of skilled Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia’s economic growth and expressed interest in recruiting more skilled manpower. He also reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates living in the country.