Labour exports, trade, Rohingya to top agenda in Malaysia PM's visit

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to visit Dhaka on 4 October, with discussions expected to focus on reopening the Malaysia labour market for Bangladeshis, boosting trade, and Rohingya repatriation.

The two sides will also explore Bangladesh's bid for ASEAN "Sectoral Dialogue Partner" status and address money laundering concerns, according to the foreign ministry in Dhaka.

The visit marks the first high-level engagement since the formation of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's interim government on 8 August, three days after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's regime amid a mass uprising.

The 58-member Malaysian delegation will include the country's foreign minister, trade and investment minister, deputy minister of transport, deputy minister of religious affairs, two MPs, and senior foreign ministry officials, according to the foreign ministry in Dhaka.

In a press conference today, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain said the Malaysian prime minister will hold bilateral meetings with the president and chief adviser.

"During these meetings, economic, political, trade, and investment issues, as well as education, technology, human resource development, manpower export, and cooperation in higher education, infrastructure development, and defence collaboration, are expected to gain significant attention," he said.

"Malaysia will assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025. We will request their active cooperation on the matter of Rohingya repatriation within ASEAN," added the adviser.

Additionally, the issue of Bangladesh's status as a "Sectoral Dialogue Partner" in ASEAN will be specifically raised in the context of regional cooperation.

On 13 August, Yunus invited Ibrahim during a phone call to visit Bangladesh to strengthen bilateral relations. Anwar expressed Malaysia's readiness to fully support Bangladesh's interim government in its pursuit of prosperity and democracy.

Reopening labour market by breaking syndicate a 'litmus test'

Malaysia, the third-largest destination for Bangladeshi workers, has had its labour market closed since June 2024. The chief adviser is expected to raise the issue of reopening the market with the Malaysian prime minister during his visit.

Migration experts and labour recruiters stress the need to address the syndicate of 100 recruiting agencies allowed by Malaysian authorities, which has driven up migration costs and restricted opportunities.

"This is a litmus test for the interim government to break the syndicate's grip," said Professor CR Abrar of RMMRU, calling for accountability from those involved.

Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury, former Baira secretary general, suggested reviewing the MoU between the two countries, arguing that Bangladesh should have the authority to select recruiting agencies to encourage competition and lower migration costs.

Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul said at a recent press conference, "Efforts are being made to break the syndicate. Corruption allegations will be investigated."

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia Shameem Ahsan told The Business Standard, "Recently, Malaysia has started granting quota approval only for the plantation sector. We have received a few demand letters for attestation. We remain proactively engaged to ensure that the market is fully opened for us in the near future."

Discussion to boost bilateral trade

Envoy Shameem Ahsan said Malaysia is currently the 8th largest investor in Bangladesh, with 386 registered companies operating smoothly.

Malaysian firms, including those owned by sovereign funds, have invested over $5 billion in Bangladesh and are keen to invest further, including in education. A second Malaysian car manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chattogram-based company for car distribution and assembly.

Ongoing economic diplomacy and negotiations are helping to mitigate disruptions, and bilateral trade from January to June 2024 reached $1.53 billion.

Money laundering will be raised in discussion

The chief adviser is expected to raise the issue of money laundering with the Malaysian prime minister and seek his intervention in bringing the money back home, sources said.

Several thousand Bangladeshis have made Malaysia their second home, and dozens of individuals linked to the previous Awami League government are allegedly involved in syphoning off billions of dollars over the past 15 years to countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK, Portugal, Singapore, Malaysia, the UAE, and Australia.