Highlighting the importance of a quick and international solution to the Rohingya crisis through joint efforts, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday said the solution to the problem is in the hands of the international community, not Bangladesh alone.

"We will keep on raising the issue. Malaysia will be supporting us in raising that. We can't wait indefinitely. This is something we have to resolve as soon as possible," he said while responding to a question from UNB during a joint press appearance with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at a hotel in Dhaka.

The Nobel Peace Laureate said they have discussed the issue as this is also an issue for Malaysia with a smaller number of Rohingyas there.

"We need to find a solution to that problem. And we work together through Asean, through the Malaysian government and through the broader international community," he said.

Malaysia is going to be the next chair of ASEAN from January 2025.

Prof Yunus highlighted two aspects of the Rohingya crisis - new children born on an average 32,000 every year over the last 7 years adding with the 1.2 million Rohingyas.

He said it is not the birthrate that concerns Bangladesh but it is about what happens in their life. "A whole new generation of young people is growing up. This is a generation of angry young people. They have no future."

Prof Yunus said the worry for the whole world is that this is a ticking time-bomb that can explode in any way.

He said new entries are also happening every day with a constant flow. "This is a concern I shared with the Prime Minister of Malaysia. He is fully supportive and understands our position."

Prof Yunus said Malaysia will be supporting Bangladesh through Asean and international forums to find an international solution to this problem.

Seven years ago, on August 25, 2017, some 700,000 Rohingya men, women and children were forced to flee Myanmar and seek protection in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and Bhasan Char.

In 2024, humanitarian agencies appealed for $852 million to assist 1.35 million people, including Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshis in surrounding communities. This appeal remains inadequately funded, according to UNHCR.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and the Malaysian Prime Minister had a brief one-on-one meeting at the Hazrat Shahjalal Airport before their bilateral talks at Hotel InterContinental.

Malaysian PM pledges immediate attention to 18,000 fresh entries from Bangladesh

He highlights importance of 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' with Bangladesh to boost ties

Reassuring decent working conditions, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his government will give immediate attention to the fresh entry of 18,000 Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia in the first phase subject to all conditions are met.

"We have discussed the whole system. And we have gone through very transparent procedures. We need workers but they can't be treated as modern slaves no matter if they are from Bangladesh or other countries. I said this publicly in the past like now," he said while responding to a question from UNB during a joint press appearance with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.

During the official talks, the Chief Adviser drew special attention to the Malaysian dignitary on the 18000 Bangladesh workers who could not fly within the deadline.

The Malaysian Prime Minister assured that his government will give major consideration to the applications of these Bangladeshi workers.

Prof Yunus urged the Malaysian Government to issue multiple visas for the Bangladeshi workers and increase the professional and workers in-take to Malaysia.

The Malaysian Prime Minister, however, reminded Bangladesh to remain careful and distinguish things urging not to defend criminal actions by anyone - either Malaysians or foreigners in Malaysia.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian Prime Minister on behalf of all the people in the country for making this announcement on the worker issue.

An estimated 800,000 Bangladeshis now live and work in Malaysia. Of them, about 450,000 migrated between August 2022 and May this year.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and the Malaysian Prime Minister had a brief one-on-one meeting at the Hazrat Shahjalal Airport before their bilateral talks at Hotel InterContinental.

Prof Yunus said he was 'very happy' to welcome his old friend in Dhaka as they have known each other for over four decades.

Yunus spoke briefly on the student-led revolution, the sacrifice the students and people made and the carnage committed by the previous government.

The chief adviser also spoke about his long association with Malaysian universities and its leaders.

They boarded the same car to travel to the bilateral venue-in an expression of their close friendship.

During the bilateral meeting, they discussed three core areas - political, trade and investment.

The issues of mutual interest, including economic, political, trade and investment, education, technology and human resource development, manpower export, higher education cooperation, communications, infrastructure development, and defense cooperation were also highlighted.

Malaysia is going to be the next chair of Asean from January 2025, and the Rohingya issue was also discussed.

In addition, the issue of Bangladesh to become a 'Sectoral Dialogue Partner' in Asean in terms of regional cooperation was specially raised.

"This visit is very important in terms of bilateral relations and this visit is expected to be considered as an expression of deepening bilateral relations and enduring friendship between Bangladesh and Malaysia," said Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.

The Malaysian Prime Minister laid emphasis on 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' and addressing the issues of Malaysian companies in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi companies in Malaysia in a faster manner.

He said they do not compromise with corruption, governance and economic fundamentals.

The Malaysian PM also said the joint commission meeting can be held as soon as possible.

He was accorded a red carpet reception on his arrival here on a very short official trip to take the relations between the two countries to a new height.

The Malaysian prime minister, who is leading a 58-member delegation, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 2pm.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus received him amid a gun salute and guard of honour.

After almost a decade, a Malaysian prime minister is visiting Bangladesh, and this official visit is the first by any head of government to Bangladesh since the formation of the interim government on August 8.

He was directly taken to Hotel InterContinental from the airport where he spent a couple of hours.

Prof Yunus also hosted high tea in honour of the Malaysian prime minister.

The Malaysian PM also met President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. He signed the visitor's book there.

Malaysia is the 8th largest investor in Bangladesh. Malaysian companies, including several owned by its sovereign funds, have invested more than $5 billion in Bangladesh and are now willing to invest more, including in education.

The Malaysian prime minister left Dhaka on Friday evening wrapping up his brief visit.

Fully support your position: Malaysian PM to Dr Yunus

He finds deficit of humanity, injustice, compassion in Gaza, Lebanon

Extending full support to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus' position regarding Bangladesh, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday said he believes Dr Yunus' efforts can ensure a new Bangladesh with vibrant democracy and rights of its every citizen.

"I know you personally. I know your passion about the lives of men and women, human rights and human dignity. I fully support your position," he said during a joint press appearance after a bilateral meeting with Prof Yunus.

Recalling that they know each other for four decades, the Malaysian Prime Minister appreciated Prof Yunus' strength to accomplish things for greater good.

Looking at what is happening in Gaza and Lebanon, the Malaysian leader shared what is lacking there.

"It is a deficit of humanity, injustice and lack of compassion," he mentioned.

The Malaysian Prime Minister also paid a courtesy call on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban after his one-to-one and bilateral talks with Prof Yunus.

Bangladesh and the Malaysian sides pursued several important issues, especially the aspects of enhancing trade and investment cooperation like telecommunications, free trade agreement (FTA), labour, Rohingya refugees, higher education, besides the ongoing crisis in Gaza and Lebanon.

The Malaysian delegation joined a high tea hosted by Prof Yunus.

The Malaysian Prime Minister left Dhaka on Friday evening for Malaysia after his 'fruitful' visit to Bangladesh.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus saw him off at the airport.

They discussed issues of mutual interests to further strengthen the ties between the two brotherly countries.

The President congratulated Malaysia for the upcoming Asean Chairmanship in 2025.

Malaysia is going to be the next chair of Asean from January 2025.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the Asean Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of Asean: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Brunei Darussalam joined Asean on January 7, 1984, followed by Vietnam on July 28, 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on July 23, 1997, and Cambodia on April 30, 1999, making up what is today the 10-member states of Asean.

Tags: Dr Yunus, Anwar Ibrahim, Bangladesh-Malaysia

Dhaka, KL want stronger ties; next round of discussions on FTA soon

Foreign Minister-level Joint Commission meeting to be held preferably in early next year

Bangladesh and Malaysia on Friday agreed to hold next round of discussions on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) soon.

The two countries also agreed to hold Foreign Minister level Joint Commission meeting preferably in the early next year.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Advisor Prof Muhammad Yunus discussed the issues during a bilateral meeting in Dhaka.

The Malaysian Prime Minister paid an official visit to Bangladesh, marking the first official visit by any Head of Government after the assumption of the Interim Government assumed office.

A 58 -member delegation, comprising Foreign Minister, Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister, Deputy Minister for Transport, Deputy Minister for Religious Affairs, Members of Parliament, and high officials of the Malaysian government accompanied the visiting Prime Minister.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus received the Malaysian Prime Minister at the airport.

The Malaysian Prime Minster was accorded red-carpet reception with guard of honour and gun salutes.

Official engagements began with a tête-à-tête between the two leaders followed by a bilateral talk.

During the meetings, two leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to revitalise the long-standing bilateral relations and also discussed potential areas of collaboration, among others, data science, semi-conductor, artificial intelligence, finance, health, higher education, agriculture, energy, defence and halal economy.

The Malaysian Prime Minister lauded the enormous contribution of Prof Yunus for the marginalized segment of the society through microcredit and social business in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world.

Referring to the Chief Adviser as his 'great friend', the Malaysian Prime Minister expressed his support to the Interim government's reform efforts.

Advisers for Foreign Affairs, Commerce and Finance, Expatriates' Welfare, Home Affairs, Road, Transport and Bridges, Chief Adviser's Office, Special Envoy on International Affairs, relevant Secretaries and other Senior officials of Bangladesh government were present from the Bangladesh delegation.

Chief Advisor also briefed the visiting Prime Minister on the ongoing reform initiatives undertaken by the Interim Government towards a democratic and just Bangladesh.

"We are moving to a new Bangladesh, which will make us proud," said Prof Yunus.

The Malaysian Prime Minister expressed his support to the Interim Government's effort "to bring Bangladesh's economic trajectory back to track".

During the official talks, the Chief Adviser drew special attention to the Malaysian dignitary on the 18000 Bangladesh workers who could not fly within the deadline.

The Malaysian Prime Minister assured that his government will give major consideration to the applications of these Bangladeshi workers.

Prof Yunus urged the Malaysian Government to issue multiple visas for the Bangladeshi workers and increase the professional and workers in-take to Malaysia.

While deeply appreciating the enormous contribution made by the Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim underscored the importance of ensuring decent work condition and other benefits.

He added that Malaysian government is reviewing the whole recruitment process aimed at ensuring full transparency and accountability in the sector.

The Chief Adviser drew his Malaysian counterpart's attention to the numerous challenges faced by Bangladesh due to the presence of 1.2 million Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus expressed hope as Malaysia is taking up the Chairmanship of the ASEAN, it will use its good offices for increasing pressure on the Myanmar authority in order to ensure early repatriation of the Myanmar nationals.

The Malaysian Prime Minister said that he will extend wholehearted support in this regard. As regards Bangladesh's bid for Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, Anwar Ibrahim assured to extend all possible support.

Later, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus jointly addressed the media.

While interacting the members of the media, both the leaders agreed that the visit has elevated the bilateral relations to a new height.

Following the press conference, Prof Muhammad Yunus hosted a reception in honour of the visiting Prime Minister.

Advisers of the Interim government, Members of the Malaysian delegation, foreign envoys, government high officials and eminent persons were in attendance.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also called on President Mohammed Shahabuddin at Bangabhaban. Issues pertaining to mutual interests featured prominently in the discussion.