Malaysian PM assures Hasina of taking care of the expats’ wellbeing
Malaysia yesterday assured that it would look after the Bangladeshi workers so that they would not face any adverse situation there. The assurance came from visiting Malaysian premier Najib Razak during a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office in the capital.
The two premiers led their respective country’s delegation in the meeting.
“Our government will look after the Bangladeshi workers so that they do not have to face any hassle in Malaysia,” Razak said.
In this regard, he stressed the need for holding dialogues between the two governments to ensure welfare of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.
The Malaysian premier said his country needs more workers and Bangladesh could be a good source for that.
Terming the Dhaka-Kuala Lumpur relations very good, he said the ties will strengthen further in future.
Razak also recalled the historic visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Malaysia.
Talking about investment in different sectors, he said the Malaysian businessmen are very keen to invest in Bangladesh.
Razak wished success of Bangladesh premier in the upcoming general election and the continuation of democratic process in the country.
At the meeting, Hasina urged Malaysia to invest more in Bangladesh’s various sectors including power, telecommunication and infrastructure development for mutual benefit of the people of both countries.
“I am happy that our two governments are negotiating to construct a 1,320-MW coal-based power plant in Cox’s Bazar. I welcome more investment from Malaysia for this sector,” she said.
She sought more Malaysian engagements for construction of bridges and highways on build, own, operate and transfer basis.
Hasina also urged the Malaysian government to recruit more workers from Bangladesh.
“We have developed a pool of semi-skilled and skilled workforce and they are ready to work in any area of the economy.
“I would request you to kindly consider them when recruiting for the development activities (in Malaysia),” she said.
Talking about the Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, she said these workers are contributing to the socioeconomic transformation of both the countries.
Hasina thanked the Malaysian government for regularising more than half of them under the 6P programme.
She also urged the Malaysian government to remove non-tariff barriers in importing goods from Bangladesh by the Malaysian businessmen.
Mentioning Bangladesh and Malaysia as liberal Muslim countries, she said both the countries are characterised by religious and social tolerance and cultural cohesion.
Bangladesh strongly believes in regional cooperation and is playing an important role in promoting economic integration among Saarc, D-8 and Bimstec member states, she added.
The Bangladesh side in the talks included, among others, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain and Industries Minister Dilip Barua.
Hasina’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed reporters after the meeting.
-With UNB/The Daily Star input
